186 VINES 
over the plants will do. The crop will be ready 
for cutting the winter after the plants are set 
out. In harvesting, try as far as possible to cut 
clean as you go, instead of picking out stems here 
and there. This permits-you to withhold the 
water slightly over the cut area until new growth 
has started. Always cut the supporting string 
with the vine and replace it before the new growth 
is ready to climb. Strong linen thread may be 
used, and if green, will be less conspicuous. A 
bed of Asparagus plumosus, if properly prepared, 
will last from five to eight years and produce 
freely for the whole period, but at the end of 
that time it is advisable to pull out the vines and 
replant. 
Of the several varieties, the best are 4 plum- 
osus var. nanus with very full, flat fronds, and 
var. tenuissimus, a dwarf form, with light-green, 
feathery foliage. None of the members of 
this species is seriously troubled by insects. 
The cutworm sometimes does a little damage, 
but may be eradicated by going through the 
house at night with a lantern, when it can be 
easily discerned at work and destroyed. 
The shiny green leaves and quick growth of 
the florists’ smilax (Asparagus medeoloides) make 
it a very desirable vine for cutting. It can be 
