NOTES ON WINTER GARDENING. 107 



Asparagus. 



This crop is best grown in a portable house, i. e., the roots 

 are planted somewhat more closely than in the field and a tem- 

 porary house is erected in March to hasten the crop in spring. 

 Sometimes a permanent iron frame is erected and steam pipes 

 are laid about the bed. Glass or canvas is then put on and 

 heat started whenever desired. Such a house is in use at the 

 Cornell University. 



An inexpensive modification of this method is sometimes 

 employed. Three rows of asparagus are planted in the ordi- 

 nary way, the rows, however, being but two feet apart. They 

 are given ordinary field culture till well established. Lines 

 of boards are then set on edge along each side of the bed and 

 hot-bed sashes are laid across, making an ordinary cold frame. 

 The crop may thus be materially hastened, but of course will 

 be later than if supplied with artificial heat. In summer the 

 sashes are removed and the bed is given ordinary open air 

 culture. 



The labor and expense of forcing asparagus are light and 

 prices are always remunerative. 



Rhubarb. 



This crop readily responds to heat and moisture and might 

 well be grown more largely than at present. As usually grown, 

 roots are taken up in the fall and stored till the crop is desired, 

 when they are brought into a moderately warm house and 

 placed under the benches, or in some cases are placed in a 

 "spent" hot-bed. This is a wasteful practice as the roots can 

 be forced but once. 



The best plan is that followed in some parts of Massachusetts 

 where a skeleton house is erected, as suggested for asparagus, 

 and provision is made for steam heating. The sides of the 

 house are covered with sheathing or with heavy paper and the 

 sash are put in place whenever it is desired to start the crop. 

 The plants are set two feet apart each way and given ordinary 

 field culture during: the summer. 



