78 One Thousand Questions in Agriculture 



plants grown from the seed or they never have been good. In order 

 to determine which varieties you had better grow on a large scale, 

 it is desirable to get a few plants of the different varieties as offered 

 by seedmen. In this way you would find out just what are con- 

 sidered best in different parts of the State, and propagate largely the 

 ones which are best worth to you. By subdivision of the roots you 

 get exactly the same type in any quantity you desire — ruling out 

 undesirable variations likely to appear in seedlings. 



Artichoke Growing. 



Is the Globe artichoke a profitable crop to raise commercially? 

 Near Pescadero a company has been formed to raise it for Eastern 

 shipment. Is it a very profitable crop to raise? Are certain varieties 

 worthless? 



Considerable quantities of Globe artichokes are grown in south- 

 ern and central California for Eastern shipment. There is a limit to 

 the amount which can be profitably shipped, because people generally, 

 at the East, do not know the Globe artichoke and how to eat it, but 

 more of them are learning the desirability of it every year. There 

 are species which are only ornamental, as a bad weed. 



Asparagus Growing. 



What is the average commercial yield of asparagus to the acre in 

 California? Also, how long it takes asparagus to come into full bearing, 

 and what yield could be expected after two years' growth? Is asparagus 

 resistant to moderate quantities of alkali in the soil? 



The yield of asparagus is from one to four tons of marketable 

 shoots per acre, according to age and thrift of plants, etc., the largest 

 yields being on the peat lands of the river islands. On suitable lands 

 one ought to get at least two tons per acre. Roots may yield a few 

 days' cuttings during their second year in permanent place; the third 

 year they will stand much more cutting, and for several years after 

 that will be in full yielding. Asparagus enjoys a little salt in the 

 land, but one would not select what is ordinarily called "alkali land" 

 for growing it — not only because of the alkali but because of the soil 

 character which it induces. 



Bean Growing. 



We have a small Held of beans, and ivould like to know zvJiich is 

 the best and most profitable way to crop them. 



Cultivate the beans so that the plants may have plenty of mois- 

 ture to fill the pods, then let them dry and die. Gather the dry 

 plants before the pods open much, and let them dry on a clean, 

 smooth piece of ground or on the barn floor. When they are well 

 dried, thresh with a flail, rake ofif the straw, sweep up the beans and 

 clean by winnowing in the wind or with a fanning mill with suitable 

 screens. 



