Vegetables with Edible Leaves or Stems 131 



The asparagus rust was epidemic in the Atlantic States 

 in 1896 and subsequent years, and caused the transfer of 

 the canning industry to California. The rust reached 

 South Carolina in 1897, and spread to California in 1901. 

 The summer-rust is red and the fall-rust black. The 

 disease affects the tops, and if left uncontrolled finally 

 ruins the crop. It may be stopped by spraying with 

 sulfur and alkali, and by preventing all volunteer or other 

 growths of asparagus until cutting is over. 



The blue asparagus beetle and its larvae work on the 

 shoots first and then on the tops. In 1862 and subse- 

 quent years they were epidemic in New York, and some 

 plantations were abandoned in consequence. In 1908 

 these beetles were found on asparagus in North Carolina. 

 They can easily be kept in check by the application of 

 paris green or arsenate of lead to the tops after cutting is 

 over. The larvae of the spotted asparagus beetle live in 

 the berries. 



Varieties of asparagus. 



Connover's Colossal and its related varieties, as Giant 

 Brunswick, are liable to much damage from rust, though 

 they are the best for canning. Palmetto and Argenteuil 

 give far better yields when rust is present. The variation 

 in the different varieties is probably less than in most vege- 

 tables. The same variety under different treatment often 

 varies more than different varieties under similar treat- 

 ment. 



Bulletins. 



Asparagus Culture, Farmers' Bulletin 61, 1897. 

 Experiments with Asparagus, N. J. Bulletin 173, 1904, 



