434 Thk Canadian Horticulturist. 



PEDIGREE IN SEEDS. 



ENRI L de VTLMORIN, of the great seed house of 

 Vilmorin, Andrieux & Co., of Paris, France, read a paper 

 before the Seedsmen's Session of the World's Fair Horti- 

 cultural Congress, Chicago. The entire address may be 

 found in the American Florist, of August 17: "Let any 

 one who doubts the high value of selection look at our fine 

 races of cabbages, kales, cauliflowers, kohlrabi and rutabaga, and compare them 

 with the wild cabbage of our western shores of Europe ; let him compare our 

 line garden beets and our mangels to the wild beet of the Mediterranean shores: 

 let him compare the tomatoes and potatoes of to-day with the wild South 

 American plants, and he will see proof that only human thought and skill have 

 brought about such wonderful changes. Where selection is done with skill and 

 care the improvement of many kinds of cultivated plants effected by its means 

 is invaluable. The large pansies, the huge hybrid gladioli, the large flowered 

 cannas were all brought from the state of small flowers to their present excellence 

 in our own days by careful observers, who. watching every variation and keep- 

 ing an exact record of the descent of all their plants, turn to the best account 

 the wonderful action of heredity. Most of the variations induced in our garden 

 plants are not in favor of the plant in a 'free fight' with its kind in nature. All 

 our improved roots, as carrots, turnips, beets, make an early and succulent 

 growth for our own benefit, but not at all for their own good If left to their 

 fate to struggle wich their own wild forms, they would soon have to take a ; back 

 seat.' and very likely soon perish. It follows then that varieties improved from 

 man's point of view must receive kind treatment and richer food than wild forms 

 of the same plant. The cultivated plant, like the domesticated animal, yields in 

 a measure its powers of self-defence to adapt itself to our service. Man must in 

 return provide for its safety and nourishment."' 



To Prepare an Asparagus Bed. — The preparation of an asparagus bed 

 should be made with more care than for most vegetables, as it is to be a perma- 

 nent crop. The ground should be thoroughly drained, naturally or artificially 

 and preferably of a rather light sandy loam. This should be trenched and a 

 heavy coat of well-rotted manure applied. Either one or two-year-old plants are 

 set, which may be raised from seed or bought of nurserymen. Set in rows not 

 less than four feet apart, six is better, and three feet in the row. Set the roots 

 from four to six inches below the surface so as to cultivate over the crowns. 

 The beds will last longer and stand droth better when set deep. The plants 

 may be set in either spring or fall. If in the spring, as soon as the ground*is 

 dry enough to work : and if in the fall, as soon as plants can be obtained, which 

 is usually early in October. Fall setting, where possible, is preferable for the 

 roots have a chance to form and start earlier the next spring. 



