IV 



SEED GROWING 



THE asparagus plant begins to produce seed when 

 two years old. When fully developed the 

 stalks are from five to six feet in hight, with 

 numerous branches upon which are produced 

 a profusion of bright scarlet berries, containing from 

 three to six seeds each. It is not advisable, hov/- 

 ever, to har\^est seed from plants less than four years 

 old. 



To save the seed the stalks are cut close to the 

 ground as soon as the berries are ripe, which maj- be 

 known by their changing color, from green to scarlet, 

 and softening somewhat. The entire stalks are then 

 cut off, tied in bundles, and hung up in a dr}- place 

 safe from the attacks of birds, some kinds of which are 

 very fond of this seed. After the berries are fully 

 dried they are stripped off by hand, or thrashed upon 

 a cloth or floor, and separated from the chaff. They 

 are then soaked in water for a day or two to soften the 

 skin and pulp of the berries, after which they are 

 rubbed between the hands, or mashed with a wooden 

 pounder, to break the outer shells. The separation of 

 the pulp from the seed is accomplished by washing. 

 When placed in water the seeds will settle with the 

 pulp and the shells will readily pass away in pouring 

 off the water. To clean the seeds thoroughly the 



