FEB.] ASPARAGUS. 347 



it may be covered with a little light earth, over 

 which may be laid some clean straw, or fern- 

 branches, and a plank to keep all down, and to 

 walk upon. 



By the time the buds have come up three inches 

 above the surface, they are fit to gather for use, as they 

 will then be six or seven inches in length. In gather- 

 ing them, draw aside a little of the mould, slip down 

 the finger and thumb, and twist them off from the 

 crown. This is a better method than to cut them ; 

 at least it is less dangerous to the rising buds, which 

 come up in thick succession, and might be wound- 

 ed by the knife, if cutting were practised. 



An ordinary-sized three-light frame, completely 

 filled with good roots, and properly managed, will 

 only yield a dish every day for about three weeks at 

 most ; so that if a constant succession of asparagus 

 be required, it will be necessary to make up a bed 

 every eighteen or twenty days, till the middle or 

 end of March. Each successive bed may be made a 

 little lighter; and less trouble will be required as the 

 season advances, though the success will be greater. 



Of forcing Asparagus in a Fined Pit. 

 Asparagus may be successfully forced in fiued pits, 

 and with less trouble than on a dung hot-bed. The 

 kind of pit here meant, is such as that for young 

 pine plants, described at page 277. The roots may 

 either be forced on bark, or on dung, or on dung 

 and bark. But old, half rotten bark, in which there 

 is not much heat, is to be preferred. Next, well fer- 

 mented dung underneath, and old bark to the thick- 



