66 MARKET NURSERY WORK 



ASPARAGUS 



To grow good stout heads of asparagus and get them on the 

 market by the end of February is not a difficult proposition 

 if there is a supply of good four-year or five-year-old roots, 

 a stout stage in a warm greenhouse and suitable soil. The 

 roots themselves must be fleshy and full of vitality and not 

 have been forced before. If they are older roots they are not 

 quite so good and must have been allowed two years' natural 

 growth since their previous forcing. 



The roots are best grown at home they are too expensive 

 to buy in the right quality and this can be done without the 

 expense and labour involved in making the ordinary asparagus 

 bed. Two years from the seed, the roots may be planted in 

 well- worked soil very much as though they were potatoes, 

 except that they need be no more than 6 inches from root to root. 

 Left there and cultivated, encouraged by frequent hoeing, 

 and leaving their growths intact to conserve their energy, 

 they are capable of making in two years roots that are fit for 

 anything. These are the right age for being forced, and capable 

 of throwing up thicker growths than they will at any later time. 



Prepare the stage by placing an inch of leaf soil evenly over 

 it and covering these with a layer of sand or sandy soil. Sea 

 sand will do if conveniently to be had. In lifting the roots, 

 be careful not to injure the crown then place them closely 

 on the sand or soil. Cover with about 3 inches of light soil, 

 pressing it down between and around the roots with the 

 fingers. The point is to see that the crown is 2 inches below 

 the surface of the soil. If 3 inches of soil appears too heavy for 

 the stage to safely carry, use only I inch soil and cover with 

 half-decayed leaves. Sprinkle well, but avoid overwatering, as 

 while they are dormant the roots easily rot if too wet. 



If it is found desirable to bleach the stalk, additional leaves 

 or fibre may be used, but we generally find that the depth 

 recommended is sufficient. Do not keep cutting until the 

 plant has exhausted all its energy, but leave it with sufficient 

 to make it worth while planting out, for at some future time 

 it can again be brought into use, when it will be but little inferior 

 to this, its first forcing time. 



