99 



with a few fresh stalks outside, and sell the whole as 

 genuine asparagus. 



The cultivation of this vegetable is introduced by 

 our countrymen even into the hottest latitudes of the 

 tropics. 



Mr. J. Newman has published the successful 

 mode he has adopted for obtaining it good in the 

 island of Mauritius ; and we have eaten of it — excel- 

 lent in quality, and nearly of an average size — in Ben- 

 gal. Daily irrigation is there the chief essential. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERS. 



Asparagus Officinalis. — Common Asparagus, or 

 Sperage. This vegetable is included in the Hexandria 

 Monogynia class and order of the Linnean system, 

 and in that of Liliacese of the natural arrangement. 



Roots perennial, creeping, with very long, thick, 

 simple fibres. Stem erect, occasionally procumbent, 

 round, simple, and bearing alternate scales (or stipules 

 without leaves below) in the upper part, branching in a 

 panicled alternate manner. Leaves in tufts, very nar- 

 row and bristly, but flexible. Stipules solitary, mem- 

 branous, triangular, acute, the upper ones ovate and 

 jagged. Flowers from the axillae of the branches on 

 H 2 



