Asparagus. 153 



should be from 2ft. Gin. to 3ft. thick, but as the season advances 

 the thickness may be gradually reduced. The bed should be 

 9in. wider than the frame all round. When the heat has fallen 

 to 75 degrees the bed is covered with 4in. of soil and the frame 

 is put on. When the shallow French garden frame is used 

 it is raised 3m. above the soil by resting it on straw bands, or 

 by putting an extra piece, 3m. deep, below it, so as to make a 

 frame with deeper sides. In filling the frame with roots, a 

 little soil is put against one side and the roots are placed 

 against this as closely as they will stand, repeating the rows 

 until the frame is filled up. A little fine soil is put amongst 

 the roots and between each row. When the frame is full fine 

 soil is worked amongst and over the crowns to the depth of 

 3in., then all is pressed down gently and a good watering is 

 given. The lights are put on but are kept raised at each 

 corner until the soil thermometer shows that the heat of the 

 bed has fallen to 70 degrees, then 3m. more soil is added, the 

 bed is again watered thoroughly, and the lights are shut down 

 and covered closely with mats. The first shoots will appear 

 about three weeks afterwards, when light and a little air is 

 given during the day to make the tops green, but all is covered 

 up closely at night. Water is given frequently. The sticks 

 should not be cut or many of the young shoots will be damaged 

 through the roots standing so closely together ; the preferable 

 way is to push the finger and thumb down to the crown and 

 break them off. 



The method of forcing in pits, with particulars of construc- 

 tion, will be found in the details of Seakale culture. 



Roots for forcing should be lifted some time before they are 

 wanted, with plenty of soil about each, care being taken not to 

 injure them. They should be stored in a cool shed and covered 

 with damp earth or sand to keep them moist. A little frost will 

 do them no harm. 



Manures : It is impossible for an Asparagus plantation to 

 maintain a supply of good sticks over a number of years unless 

 it is generously and systematically supplied with fertilizing 

 materials. Amongst these farmyard manure is to a certain 

 extent indispensable and should be applied each autumn ; this 

 should be supplemented by artificial fertilizers 4 to 5 cwt 



