ASPARAGUS 37 



collected and placed in bulk as gathered, and as these 

 materials are gathered by the latter part of De- 

 cember, and placed in large heaps, they have begun 

 to heat, and are then well-trodden in the alleys. It 

 is important that every layer of leaves should be well 

 rammed into position. At the start a frequent practice 

 at Syon is to wheel the leaves direct into the alleys, but 

 when finishing off the beds secure the best material, 

 such as oak or beech leaves. Wooden framework 

 eighteen inches deep with cross bars is placed on the 

 top of the walls, the latter are a little higher than the 

 beds, and another lot of leaves and warm manure is 

 placed so that the top of the framework is covered. On 

 the surface of the beds is put a depth of from eighteen 

 inches to two feet of warm litter and in wet or snowy 

 weather covers are used to keep the material dry. 

 Additions are made to the litter both on the beds 

 and in the alleys ; a slight shrinkage is always occur- 

 ring as the leaves become heated through. Doubtless, 

 glass frames would be preferable to the framework 

 and litter, but large quantities were necessary, six beds 

 being cut from at a time. Wooden shutters were 

 formerly used, but litter and dressed covers are better, 

 and the litter is easily renewed or added to in cold 

 weather. The old decayed heating material must be 

 removed in November, and used in the garden for 

 various crops. The beds will give a good cutting in 

 six weeks from the date of placing the whole in 

 readiness for forcing, but there must be a good depth 

 of fine soil on the surface to allow the growths to 



