268 VEGETABLE GROWING PROJECTS 



together with the attached roots form the " crown." From the 

 crown are sent up stems or shoots, at first thick and fleshy, which 

 are often called the " spears " and which form the edible part of 

 the plant. Scale-like growths on these fleshy stems are the real 

 leaves. In fact all. of the leaves of the asparagus plants are small 

 scales which do not function at all as ordinary leaves. The green, 

 filmy, leaf-like structures are in reality stems which are finely 

 divided and which perform the functions of leaves. The flowers 

 are inconspicuous both on account of their small size and greenish- 

 yellow color. Flowers which develop pollen-bearing organs and 

 flowers which develop fruits and seeds are borne on different plants. 

 The former are considered to be more productive. The fruit is a 

 roundish red berry and usually contains two dark triangular seeds. 

 The seeds remain alive for a long time, possibly four or five years. 



1. How long has asparagus been under cultivation? 



2. How are the " asparagus ferns " and " smilax " related to 



common asparagus / 



3. What part of the plant is the fleshy " spear " ? 



4. What is the structure of the filmy green growth ? 



6. How do the plants differ in the kind of flowers- produced ? 



Project Outline 



1. Why grow asparagus ? 



2. Selecting location. 



3. Selecting varieties. 



4. Starting the plants. 



5. Preparing the soil. 



6. Planting. 



7. Cultivating. 



