270 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



remain, which will increase the size of those remaining, 

 and the future value of the bed. When green peas be- 

 come plentiful the asparagus bed should rest. After the 

 cutting ceases, you may judge from the size of the sum- 

 mer shoots the productiveness of the bed the coming- 

 spring. These elaborate the food for the future crop. 

 The manure applied in autumn has but little effect on the 

 next spring's shoots, but from its influence the strong- 

 growth of the succeeding summer will prepare an abun- 

 dant supply of large shoots the second spring. The spring 

 and autumn dressings should be continued while the bed 

 lasts, for the top soil must be kept perfectly free and 

 light, that the shoots may readily push through it, and 

 the surface left rough, that it may catch and retain the 

 winter rains so as to thoroughly moisten the lower roots. 

 Finally, good asparagus is not to be obtained without 

 an abundant supply of manure. The beds will, if thus 

 treated, remain productive twelve or fifteen years. 



Asparagus can be forced by planting a hot-bed thickly 

 with thrifty roots; it comes into bearing in four weeks, 

 and affords asparagus for a month in the winter season. 

 Give plenty of air in mild weather. 



The following varieties are standard, and may be pur- 

 chased from the seed merchants already rooted: Colum- 

 bian Mammoth, Conover's Colossal, Palmetto. 



For Seed. — Reserve some of the best shoots in the 

 spring, and mark them by placing a stake by each one, 

 and let them run up and ripen their seeds. Take shoots 

 with fine, round, close heads; fasten them, as they grow, 

 up to the stake, and the seed will ripen better. Gather 

 the seed when ripe, and wash off the pulp and husk, which 

 will pass off with the water, if gently poured off, and the 

 seed will sink to the bottom. Dry them thoroughly, and 

 store away for use. They are, for your own sowing, just 



