SUPPLY OF FRESH VEGETABLES 369 



slope to the glass " light/' consequently the bed may be 

 made perfectly flat ; but if a sharper slope is wanted, the 

 bed can be inclined. The sharper the slope the greater 

 the heat, because the surface is plane to the sun's rays 

 during the hottest part of the day. But obviously an 

 inclined surface is not so convenient for working as a flat 

 one. Greater care is necessary in packing in such soil as 

 is required, lest it should roll down. 



A great depth of manure is only needed when con- 

 siderable heat is wanted. In the system of producing 

 early vegetables which is now under consideration much 

 heat is not required ; it is rather a gentle and steady 

 warmth which is aimed at. This will come from a bed 

 eighteen inches deep if the materials are well trodden 

 down so as to form a firm close mass ; and if the exterior 

 is sheltered from cold winds. Nine inches of friable 

 loamy soil will complete the bed. 



The principal vegetables which may be pushed gently 

 on for early yields may be considered in alphabetical 

 order. 



Asparagus. Everybody likes this tender and delicious 

 vegetable. Even without forcing it is one of the earliest 

 of crops, coming into use in most places during May. 

 With forcing it can be had at mid- winter. Strong forcing 

 roots are somewhat expensive, but the only alternative 

 to paying the price is to spend three years in raising a 

 supply. It is true that in exceptional cases on sandy loam 

 and in a wet season crowns may be ready for cutting the 

 second year from sowing seed, but it is not usual to cut 

 till the third year. Now, until the roots are strong enough 

 for yielding in the open they are not strong enough to be 

 forced. Sowing in March of, say, the year 1912, the 

 grower should not expect to be able to lift roots for 

 forcing till the winter of 1915-16. Cutting without forcing 



2 A 



