u 



ASPAEAGTJS. 



k 



I 



rli 



ASPABACtUS 



VAEIETIES. 



Until quite recently there were only 

 two varieties generally cultivated for 

 market purposes — the green and the 

 purple-topped. The identity of these 

 two has been frequently maintained by 

 many intelligent gardeners, who attri- 

 bute the differences in size and color 

 to location, soil, and heavy or light ma- 

 nuring. There is no doubt in my mind 

 about these two being distinct varieties, 

 and that they will show their peculiari- 

 ties when grown on the same ground 

 and under the same treatment. With 

 heavy manuring the size can be in- 

 creased very decidedly, but high cul- 

 ture does not change the color of either. 



Two years ago S. B. Conover, of 

 New York, introduced a new variety of 

 Asparagus under the name of " Cono- 

 ver's Colossal." For this variety Mr. 

 Conover claimed superior qualities to 

 either of the two varieties known and 

 cultivated by market-gardeners. The 

 spears of this variety were said to be of 

 extraordinary size, of tender and good 

 quality when cooked, and, for field or 

 garden-culture, equally if not more pro- 

 ductive than the green or purple-topjjed 

 varieties. This claim had to be sub- 

 stantiated by practical growers before 

 discarding old and tried kinds for new 

 and untried ones. Many doubted its 



