170 



objection exists, Asparagus may be forced in such 

 situations. 



Forcing in Bung Beds and Pits. Bed. — The hot- 

 bed must be substantial, and proportioned to the size 

 and number of the lights, and to the time of year. 

 The common mode of making a hotbed is usually 

 followed. The bed must be topped with six inches 

 of light rich earth. 



Quantity necessary. — If a small family is to be 

 supplied, three or four lights will be sufficient at a 

 time ; for a larger, six or eight will not be too many. 

 Several hundred plants may be inserted under each, 

 as they may be crowded as close as possible together; 

 from 500 to 900 are capable of being inserted under 

 a three-light frame, according to their size. 



Mode of planting. — In planting, a furrow being 

 drawn the whole length of the frame, against one 

 side of it the first row or course is to be placed, the 

 crown upright, and a little earth drawn on the lower 

 ends of the roots, then more plants again in the same 

 manner, and so continued throughout, it being care- 

 fully observed to keep them all regularly about an 

 inch below the surface ; all round on the edge of the 

 bed some moist earth must be banked close to the 

 outside roots. 



Precautions necessary. — If the bed is extensive, it 

 will probably acquire a violent heat ; the frames must 

 therefore be continued off until it has become regular, 



