the number of asparagus beds iu a typical Massachusetts town 

 would not exceed two or three. At the present time, however, this 

 condition of affairs has been entirely changed and asparagus ranks 

 as one of the most highly esteemed vegetables which go to the table. 

 Asparagus beds are now found in every private garden of any pre- 

 tence, and the production of this vegetable for the large markets in 

 Massachusetts to-day utilizes many hundred acres of fertile land 

 and provides occupation with fair returns to a large number of mar- 

 ket-gardeners. According to some recent statistics pertainirg to 

 market-gardening in Massachusetts it is shown that the increase in 

 the production of vegetables during the period from 1885 to 1895 

 has been 22%, and while there are no special data given concerning 

 asparagus this product will undoubtedly rank among the first in its 

 increase. 



The growing of asparagus on a large scale in Massachusetts is 

 confined to certain towns ; it being most extensively grown in those 

 possessing a light sandy soil. Tlie largest growers are situated 

 in the eastern sections of the state, near the large maikets. In the 

 vicinity of Concord there are some 400 acres of asparagus under 

 cultivation which largely sui)ply the Boston markets, and 100 acres 

 or more are also controlled by the South Elaslham Asparagus Co. on 

 Cape Cod. The annual income from asparagus alone in Coucoid is 

 estimated at ^100,000. 



The Asparagus Rust. 



The asparagus rust has been known iu Europe for a great many 

 years, and since the time of the elder de Candolle, who was the 

 first to study it nearly a century ago, the rust has been known to be 

 caused by a fungus which has borne the name Puccinia Asparagi 

 D. C. It is known to occur in most of the countries of Europe and 

 mention is made of it in all the principal publications on the conti- 

 nent relating to the diseases of plants. The first mention of the 

 asparagus rust in the United States was by Ilarkness, who claimed 

 to have observed it on the Pacific coast in 1880, although there 

 appears to be some doubt whether the genuine rust, Ftachna A.'^jiai'- 

 ag', was ever really found there. The first mention of it in the 

 Eastern states was in the fall of 1896. Prof. Halsted was the first 

 to call attention to it and we shortly afterwards observed it in this 

 State on the beds at the INIassachusetts Agricultural College. It 



