APRIL. 283 



would nearly if not quite compensate for outlay, 

 and an asparagus bed ought to be regarded as 

 a permanent improvement like an orchard, and 

 should add to the value of a place. 



Those of us whose gardens are not near the 

 coast, will find salt very beneficial to our aspar- 

 agus. Two pounds to the square yard can 

 be scattered over the ground very early in 

 spring, as soon as the ground is forked over, 

 and the rain will wash it down. While helping 

 the vegetable, it will disgust the bugs, worms, 

 and weeds generally, they having no sympathy 

 with the "salt of the earth." 



But with rhubarb a small local market can 

 easily be more than supplied. I have about 

 twice as much as we need, but as it takes up 

 but little room, and requires not a great deal of 

 attention . \ lei it grow, intending to try to in- 

 crease the demand by selling it cheaply. 



As this vegetable also stands a number of 



