178 



The Hyacinth and other Dutch bulbs, which require 

 darkness, would also find a place here. 



In the middle of March the surface of the rotten 

 manure might be taken away for the garden purposes, 

 and its place supplied with coal ashes or sand, after 

 lime-watering the whole to destroy the earth worm. 

 The linings might also be in part removed, and their 

 surface cased over, and rendered solid, for the pro- 

 prietor to walk over with comfort. Such a pit in 

 summer would serve to keep successions of choice 

 stock in for the greenhouse or drawing-room ; the 

 lids being propped up in the day, and closed, or 

 partly so, at night. 



DISEASE AND INSECTS. 



We are not aware of any disease to which Asparagus 

 is liable, for although its roots occasionally decay to 

 an injurious extent, it is only when they have been 

 wounded by careless cultivation. 



Slugs sometimes deface the young buds of Aspara- 

 gus to a great extent ; especially on stagnant soils, 

 and in cold periods, when the ''grass" grows slowly. 

 The late spring frosts, which sometimes damage this 

 crop, will frequently so stagnate the progress of the 

 buds, both above and below the surface, that slugs. 



