534 How to Grow Good Asparagus. 



well to read "Cuthill's Practical Instructions,"* for then he 

 will find what simple means are needed to bring about the 

 most perfect results in the branch of gardening to which 

 they refer. We are too little in the habit of meeting with 

 gardening advice to which no exception can be fairly taken, 

 either theoretically or practically, not to draw attention par- 

 ticularly to this little book, in which the reader will find the 

 results of a good cultivator's experience told without hum- 

 bug and coxcombry. The author is a market-gardener ; he 

 gets his living out of a small piece of ground at Camber- 

 well ; his interest impels him in every way to observe the 

 utmost possible economy consistent with profit ; he there- 

 fore eschews all fiddle-faddle schemes for dandifying a kitch- 

 en garden ; and he tells his readers honestly and fully what 

 he does and how he does it. The goodness of his advice 

 concerning the Potato is attested by the fact that he is not 

 among the serious sufferers by disease. 



As it is probable that no crop is worse grown or worse 

 managed as a whole, than Asparagus, we shall select some 

 of Mr. Cuthill's remarks upon that root, in illustration of the 

 foregoing observations. The following is his description of 

 the London market garden method: — "The present plan of 

 making Asparagus beds round London, consists in putting on 

 an immense quantity of vianure, and trenching the ground 

 three or four feet deep, mixing the manure as the work pro- 

 ceeds. In March the ground is measured out after the fol- 

 lowing manner ; suppose that a fence runs south and north, 

 or otherwise, three feet is allowed between it and the first 

 row ; a drill is drawn about two inches deep, the seed sown 

 thinly, say six inches or a foot apart, that gives choice of 

 drawing out the weakest, in order that the permanent crop 

 may stand one foot apart. The next row is sown eighteen 



* " Practical Instructions for the Cultivation of the Potato," containing a Competition 

 Essay for the prize of 1000 francs offered by the Belgian Government. Also instruc- 

 tions on the management of Asparagus, Seakale, Rhubarb, Vegetable Marrow, Scarlet 

 Runner, Strawberry, Melon, Cucumber ; the Tomato, or Love-apple ; Chicory and 

 Lamb Lettuce as salads ; the Lisianthus Russellianus ; the tree Mignonette. The 

 destruction of woodliee and green-fly j and peat charcoal as a manure. By James 

 Cuthill, Horticulturist, Camberwell. 



