122 GARDEN FARMING 



staminate and from pistillate plants. Their tests showed that by 

 selecting the non-seed-bearing plants, that is, staminate plants, 

 very much larger and stronger stalks were obtained than when seed- 

 bearing plants were used. This goes to show that the maturing of 

 seed upon asparagus is a devitalizing process, and as this can be 

 overcome to a certain extent by cutting the stalks before the seed 

 matures in the fall, it is probable that larger stalks may be secured 

 by observing this precaution. It is worth while for those interested 

 in asparagus culture to pay attention to this point, for it is an easy 

 matter to carry the plants in the seed bed sufficiently long to de- 

 termine whether they are staminate or pistillate before setting them 

 in the permanent plantation. 



Seed bearing has been given an added significance since the 

 rust has become so prevalent. Growers say that a good crop of 

 seed indicates that the following cutting period will be a satisfac- 

 tory one. The explanation of this is undoubtedly to be found in the 

 fact that if the plants are comparatively free from rust and make 

 a normal growth there will be normal seeding. The growth which 

 is sufficient to enable the plant to fruit is also sufficient to enable 

 it to store a good food supply for the production of a satisfactory 

 harvest the following year. 



Varieties. Up to the present time comparatively little attention 

 has been given to the subject of varieties of asparagus in America, 

 but we now have two or three which are regularly advertised by 

 our leading seedsmen. Colossal, known also as Conover's Colossal, 

 is one of the best-proved standard sorts. In France it is known 

 as Argenteuil. Palmetto is of Southern origin and is a very satis- 

 factory sort for that region. Other varieties upon the market are 

 Barr Mammoth and Columbia Mammoth White. 



BEANS 



The bean belongs to the pulse family, which is one of the most 

 important families of economic plants with which man has to deal. 

 The members of this family vary in size from low annual plants to 

 tall, broad, spreading trees, but there are few of greater economic 

 importance than the bean. Besides furnishing wholesome, nourish- 

 ing food for man and animal, this group of plants provides the 



