CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 205 



variety. A large proportion of our growers claim that 

 no argument can be advanced for planting anything else. 

 It is prolific, producing large shoots of good quality. It 

 originated in the South, and is generally popular in the 

 southern states, but it is largely planted in all other parts 

 of the United States. The plants are more resistant to 

 rust than any other variety, and this, undoubtedly, is the 

 main reason for its popularity. 



Argenteuil is a French variety, planted extensively 

 around Paris and to a considerable extent in the United 

 States. It has attracted wide attention in this country, 

 and has given excellent results on many farms. Argen- 

 teuil has not done well on soils containing much clay or 

 silt. There are two types, known as the Early and the 

 Late Argenteuil. 



Conover's Colossal was originated by Abraham Van 

 Sicklen of Long Island and introduced by S. B. Con- 

 over, a produce merchant of New York. It is the oldest 

 and best known American variety, but has been sup- 

 planted very largely by newer varieties. 



Barr's Mammoth was originated by Crawford Barr of 

 Pennsylvania. It is regarded as an excellent variety and 

 finds ready sale on the Philadelphia market. 



Dreer's Eclipse is fairly popular, and is valued for its 

 large and tender shoots. 



Columbian Mammoth White, introduced by D. M. 

 Ferry in 1893, is a favorite with some growers on account 

 of the large, light-colored shoots. 



Other varieties planted to some extent are Donald's 

 Elmira, Hub and Moore's Cross-bred. 



270. Climatic requirements. — The asparagus plant 

 seems to be well adapted to all temperate regions. While 

 the most extensive plantations are usually at low alti- 

 tudes and near large rivers or large bodies of water, their 

 success is probably due more to favorable soil conditions 



