36 ASPAEAGTTS. 



ferent sections, devoted to Asparagus for the New 

 York and other large markets. Some of these new 

 plantations have already begun to yield well, and yet 

 prices are not in the least affected ; on the contrary, 

 they have advanced. Growers estimated the yield, 

 during the past season, to have been above an aver- 

 age one, and still prices ranged higher than they 

 have for many years. This condition of matters is 

 quite encouraging for those who have young beds, or 

 are about to embark in this branch of gardening 

 with a view to profit. 



To be successful in the culture of Asparagus for 

 market there are a few essential points to be fully 

 considered and carried out before any reasonable 

 hopes of success can be entertained. 



The first is a selection of the most suitable soil 

 and situation ; the second, a thorough mechanical 

 preparation of the soil before planting, and the third, 

 heavy manuring. 



The location of the bed is highly important. 

 When Asparagus first comes into market it sells 

 briskly at from five to eight dollars per dozen 

 bunches, and frequently as high as twelve dollars 

 per dozen, if the spears are large and the bimches 

 carefully made. From these prices it gradually falls, 

 as the supply increases, until it reaches two dollars 

 per dozen. Below this price it very seldom goes, 

 although at one dollar and fifty cents per dozen 

 Asparagus will pay a handsome profit. 



When the soil has only been indifferently pre- 

 pared and poorly manured, earliness of the crop and 

 large-sized spears cannot be expected, and, as a mat- 



