124 THE NURSERY-BOOK. 



Asparagus. Liliacece. 



The common kitchen garden asparagus is best propagated 

 by means of seeds. These are sown in spring as soon as the 

 ground can be worked, usually in rows a foot or two apart. 

 Thin the young plants to two or three inches apart in the 

 row and give good culture, and the plants can be set in the 

 field the following spring, and they will give a fair crop after 

 growing there two seasons. Small growers nearly always 

 buy plants of nurserymen. Old asparagus crowns can be 

 divided, but seeds give better plants. 



The ornamental species of asparagus are propagated by 

 seeds when they are obtainable ; otherwise, by division. 

 Asperula. Rubiacece. 



Increased by seeds and by divisions of the roots during 

 spring and early summer. 

 Asphodeline. Liliacece. 



Propagated by division. 

 Asphodelus (Asphodel). Liliacece. 



Propagated by seeds and by division of the root in early 

 spring. 



Aspidistra. Liliacece. 

 Aspidium. See under Ferns. 

 Asplenium. See under Ferns. 



Propagated by suckers. 

 Assonia. Sterculiacece. 



Propagated by young cuttings, which will root freely in 

 sand with strong bottom heat, if covered with a bell-glass. 

 Astartea. Myrtacecc. 



Increased by young cuttings, in sand, in gentle heat, under 

 a bell-glass. 

 Astelma. Composite. 



Propagated by seeds sown in pots of light, open soil, in 

 gentle heat. By half-ripened cuttings, which will root 

 readily in sandy soil with a hand-glass over them. 

 Astephanus. Asclepiadece. 



Propagated by divisions ; and by cuttings, in sandy soil, in 

 moderate heat. 

 Aster (Aster, Michaelmas Daisy, Star-wort). Composite?. 



Propagated by seeds sown in spring, or by root divisions 

 made in autumn ; also by cuttings, which root freely in 

 sandy soil under a hand-glass, with little heat. 



