34 ASPAitAGUS. 



Early in December the old leaves are removed 

 carefully, so as not to injure the main stock ; then, 

 by a digging-fork, some mould is thrown from either 

 side of the row towards the row of plants, raising a 

 mound of earth covering part of the plants. Then 

 a coating of leaves or long manure, five or six inches 

 deep, is put on top of this earth and along the line 

 of plants. 



Early in April this covering is removed, levelling 

 the earth from around the plants before the young 

 sprouts start. If wanted for a new bed, then these 

 plants can be transplanted, as described above. Not 

 more than three shoots should be allowed to a hill. 

 Some gardeners rub off every alternate bud, so as to 

 increase the size of those left on. 



In this part of the country the culture of the 

 Artichoke is principally confined to private gardens ; 

 it is seldom found in the northern markets. But in 

 California it is extensively cultivated, and it may be 

 found on the tables, served as a vegetable in all the 

 first-class hotels and restaurants. 



ASPARAGUS. 



Asparagus njficinalis. 



The Asparagus is a hardy perennial, that, under 

 proper management, when planted in the right kind 

 of soil, A\'ill produce annual crops for an indefinite 

 length of time. When well-grown and carefully 

 bunched ic is sure to meet with a readj' sale. The 

 demand for it has always been good, cveii when other 

 veojetables were dull and selling at lo^v ]^;rices. From 



