ASPARAGUS. 5 



or sea-weed, if it can be procured. The latter is 

 one of the best manures for artichokes. Nothing 

 more requires to be done, during the summer, than 

 to keep the ground free from weeds. 



Artichoke plants will continue productive for 

 many years, though after six or seven they begin 

 to degenerate, the heads becoming smaller and less 

 succulent ; it will then be necessary to renew the 

 bed with young plants. It is a good plan, after the 

 second year, to keep up a constant succession. 

 The bed will then always contain strong, young, 

 healthy plants in a bearing state. 



If the heads are wanted fine and large, all the 

 lateral ones growing on the same stalk, should be 

 removed in their young state ; and when the entire 

 crop on a stem is taken, be careful to cut it off 

 or bend it down close to the ground, in order to give 

 the plant more strength for new shoots. 



2. ASPARAGUS ASPARAGUS. 



The name of this plant is of Greek origin, sig- 

 nifying a young shoot before it unfolds its leaves. 

 It is evidently a native of this country, being found 

 wild in Essex and Lincolnshire. It is also found 

 on the borders of the river Euphrates, in Asia, 

 where it grows to a very large size. 



Asparagus is said to promote appetite, but is 

 not considered to afford much nourishment, and is 

 comparatively a vegetable of luxury. It occupies a 

 large proportion of a gentleman's garden, and is 

 seldom seen in that of the cottager. The young 

 B 3 



