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of four or five inches, then give the whole a good 

 watering to settle the soil ; close the pit, and keep it 

 so till vegetation commences, and then air must be 

 admitted freely, and all the light that can possibly be 

 secured ; this materially assists in getting the buds of 

 a fine green colour and good flavour. The tempera- 

 ture of the pits may range from 45 to 60 degs. Fah- 

 renheit ; but 50 and 55 degs. is best as the highest, 

 unless it is required to provide a supply for some 

 particular day. Where pits are heated by hot water, 

 it is an easy matter to steam them, which is highly 

 beneficial when the plants are in a state of vegetation. 

 Thus managed, the plants require but little water, 

 particularly in the winter months : but it must be 

 borne in mind that, when it is required and applied, 

 it must be of the same temperature as the pit in 

 which the plants are growing. Where a general suc- 

 cession is wanted, this method will be found to an- 

 swer ; a fresh plantation must, however, be made 

 about every 12 or 18 days. It is not necessary, in 

 forcing Asparagus, that it should have bottom heat ; 

 but where a small quantity is required, it is often 

 forced on dung beds, and in such cases the grower 

 should be cautious against a strong bottom heat, 

 which, accompanied by the steam from the dung, is 

 injurious to the plants when in a growing state. 

 Where it is wanted, even in small quantities, the 

 frame is best placed on brickwork, with pigeon-holes 



