ASPARAGUS 



119 



used to hold the stalks together. After the stalks have been laid 

 in the saddles and tied, the butts are cut with a large knife close 

 to the right-hand saddle, thus giving the bunch a square base. Each 

 bunch is carefully rinsed in clean running water and stood on a 

 moist pad to drain. 



Shipment. For shipment the asparagus is packed in carriers 

 holding one or two dozen bunches. A layer of moist sphagnum moss 

 is usually placed on the bottom of the packing box, and on this the 

 butts are set. The bunches are tightly pressed together, and the 

 top of the box is nailed on carefully to prevent the bunches from 



FIG. 39. Type of carrier used for shipping asparagus 



moving about in shipment and becoming bruised. The type of 

 carrier used for shipping asparagus is shown in figure 39. 



The asparagus beetle. The one insect enemy of asparagus 

 which causes serious loss is the beetle. This insect eats the young 

 stalks as soon as they appear aboveground and renders them un- 

 salable. Its depredations are severely felt by the green grass, as 

 this is exposed to their attack. Blanched grass, being cut as soon 

 as the tips appear, never surfers from this insect. The growing of 

 blanched grass is, therefore, one of the chief means of avoiding 

 this pest. 



Asparagus rust. This is the worst enemy of the asparagus 

 grower. While it does not directly injure the cut of the season 



