

JAN.] ASPARAGUS* 335 



younger, the grass will be small and trifling, and if 

 older, many of the buds will not spring ; and so, 

 much trouble would go for nothing. They should 

 be placed with their crowns upright, as closely to- 

 gether as possible ; spreading out and intermixing 

 the fibres, and keeping the crowns quite level, that 

 they may be equally covered with the mould. It 

 should be rendered very fine, either with the spade, 

 or by being sifted ; and it should be laid on, to the 

 thickness of four inches, smooth and equal. A little 

 dry earth may also be laid on outside, all round the 

 frame, and over it planks to stand or walk upon. 



The lights may now be put on, and may be kept 

 close shut down till the heat begin to rise in the 

 frame, covering carefully at nights with double 

 mats. The heat will begin to rise the second or 

 third day, and air should then be admitted, by tilt- 

 ing the glasses a little, in order to pass off the steam, 

 and dry the surface of the mould. This must be 

 repeated every good day till the buds begin to ap- 

 pear, and then air must be more freely admitted, to 

 give them colour and flavour ; leaving a little air, 

 even in the night, if much steam prevail. 



If the weather be severe, it will be necessary to 

 cover at night with mats, but otherwise it may not 

 be so. If the air of the bed raise the thermometer 

 to 50 in the night, it is sufficient. Even in the 

 day, in sunshine, it should not be allowed to rise 

 above 60, on account of drawing up the buds weak; 

 and if kept down to 55, by the free admission of 

 air, both their flavour and colour, as observed above, 

 will be enhanced. See this subject continued next 

 month. 



