-^ GENDERS AND ASPARAGUS 89 



to keep it in check, but prevention is far better 

 than cure. It has been found that the rust is 

 most Hkely to occur in dry soil (and the best 

 asparagus soil, being gravelly, easily gets too 

 dry). Therefore, give your bed a good soaking 

 at least twice a week in hot weather. More- 

 over, plants grown from your own seed and kept 

 well fertilized will withstand the rust fungus 

 much better than neglected plants — an addi- 

 tional reason for taking the best care of your 

 asparagus patch. 



There are also insect enemies, the commonest 

 and most dreaded of which is known as the 

 asparagus beetle. These beetles and their 

 grubs injure the tender shoots which you want 

 to eat yourself, and also strip the leaves off the 

 plants. Arsenites or hellebore mixed with flour 

 can be dusted on, except during the cutting 

 season. Chickens eat the bugs and larvse 

 eagerly. If you have none to turn in, collect 

 in your vegetable garden all the ladybirds you 

 can find and put them on your asparagus plants. 

 I shall have more to say about these adorable 

 bugs in Chapter X, after telling in the following 

 pages about some other garden pests which make 

 gardening with brains a necessity. 



