Asparagus, 
Asparagus officinalis, Narurat Orver: Liliacee— Lily Family. 
Asparagus as they find it in their markets, tied in bundles of 
straight stalks without the least appearance of foliage. There 
the stalks are almost white, as gardeners cut the stems deep 
i in the soil. Those having their own gardens cut them after 
Yite ‘they are four or five inches above the ground, when they are 
4 ap green, sweet, and quite brittle. The soil should be very rich for its 
growth. It is one of the oldest of table plants, having been a favorite 
“, from the time of the ancient Greeks; and grows about four feet high 
a” into a large herbaceous bush, with leaves like so many green bristles. 
’ A mass at a distance looks as if the fairies had disrobed and left their 
green illusion garments behind. The flowers are small; the berries, in 
ot 
° autumn, are a brilliant scarlet. 
ay 
screener 3 
eo 
@ 
mutation, 
N poet’s lore, and sentimental story, 
It seems as ’t were this life’s supremest aim 
For heroes to achieve what men call glory, 
And die intoxicate with earth’s acclaim. 
Ah me! how little care the dead for breath 
Of vain applause that saved them not from death. 
—Mackellar, 
ET, press on! AN was mark’d 
For it shall make you mighty among men; A friend, in his creation, to himself, 
And, from the eyrie of your eagle thought, And may, with fit ambition, conceive 
Ye shall look down on monarchs. O, press on! ‘The greatest blessings, and the brightest honors 
For the high ones and powerful shall come Appointed for him, if he can achieve them 
To do you reverence; and the beautiful The right and noble way. —Massinver: 
Will know the purer language of your soul, 
And read it like a talisman of love. HO never felt the impatient throb, 
Press on! for it is godlike.to unloose The longing of a heart that pants 
The spirit and forget yourself in thought. And reaches after distant good. 
\ —Byron. —Cowper. } 
2 a 
—_ = aa 
geld 
