CHAPTER XIII. 



SUMMARIES OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE 

 VARIOUS CROPS. 



ASPARAGUS. 



ASPARAGUS is customarily forced from roots which 

 have been allowed to reach the age of four years or more 

 in the field. These roots are removed to the forcing- 

 house, and after being forced once are thrown away 

 (pages 127, 130). 



The roots are dug late in fall, and are stored in a 

 cold cellar or a shed until they are wanted for forcing. 

 They are usually covered with straw, but freezing is not 

 injurious if they remain moist (page 130). 



The clumps are generally forced under benches, in a 

 temperature suited to lettuce or cauliflower. High tem- 

 peratures give quick results, but the shoots are generally 

 more slender and spindling (page 131). 



The clumps are packed close together upon 2 or 3 

 inches of earth and covered with about 3 or 4 inches of 

 loose earth. In two to three weeks, edible shoots will 

 appear, and the cutting may continue for five to eight 

 weeks. The amount and value of the crop will depend 

 largely upon the strength of the clumps (pages 131, 132). 



Beans are very easily forced for the green pods 

 ("string beans"). They may be grown to maturity in 

 pots or boxes which are set in vacant places about the 

 (245) 



