134 On the Cultivation of Asparagus. 



pale beneath, oblong, oval, and acute ; also, whole, even, and roll- 

 ed outward, on the margin. Calyx small, of five unequal, blunt 

 segments. Corolla funnel-shaped, with a short tube, the border 

 divided into five large, unequal segments, which are white, shaded 

 with lake, the upper and longest having a collection of orange -col- 

 ored spots at its centre. Flowers in terminal clusters. — In a swamp 

 at Medfield. — July. 



Yours, 

 Watertown, Jan., 1835. E. B. Kenrick. 



( To be continued.) 



Art. V. On the Cultivation of Asparagus. By S. Pond. 



The cultivation of asparagus, although so general, is, by no 

 means, as well understood as it should be. Like many other vege- 

 tables, which have for years been cultivated, and which almost 

 every gardener thinks he already raises to perfection, and needs 

 no further information in relation to their growth, it can still be 

 wonderfully improved in its mode of cultivation. The immense 

 quantity which is produced in this vicinity, for the market, and its 

 superiority to that of former years, is a convincing proof, that its 

 cultivation is now much better understood than heretofore, and it is 

 to be hoped, that it will still continue to be grown of larger size 

 and more excellent quality. In private gardens, in particular, some 

 fine specimens have been produced within the last two or three 

 years, and, with httle more care and expense, the market gardener 

 may as easily supply his customers with this estimable vegetable in 

 equal perfection. It is more with a desire to see our markets bet- 

 ter supplied with a superior article, that I am induced to send you 

 these remarks ; and if it will be the means of doing this, even in a 

 small degree, I shall feel well repaid for my trouble. 



There are several kinds of asparagus, some of which have been 

 lately introduced, and have not yet become very well known. 

 That which I have grown, and which I have proved to be of most 

 excellent quality, as well as of monstrous size, is called the giant 

 asparagus. It is, as yet, but little known, and, consequently, not 

 very extensively cultivated. But so superior is it to the old kind 

 generally grown, and of which hundreds of plantations now exist, 

 that it must take their place very soon. Some cultivators do not 

 hke to destroy fruitful beds, because the kind is rather inferior ; yet 

 I have no doubt but they would be more amply repaid in the end, if 

 they were to make new plantations, and, as soon as they came into 

 bearing, to entirely destroy the old ones. Its large size and fine 



