PERENNIAL VEGETABLE PROJECTS 275 



tations will be destroyed but the benefit will far exceed the damage. 

 If the ground becomes very weedy, it is desirable to ridge up the 

 soil over the rows at the last cultivation after cropping has ceased 

 and to work these ridges down in the spring. 



1. How and when should asparagus plantations be cultivated? 



W-VG : 218. L : 195. H : 61-71. 



2. What tools are needed? W-VG: 219. 



8. Combating insects and diseases. — The common asparagus 

 beetle does much harm to the tender shoots and to the bushy 

 plants on which both beetles and grubs feed. The blackish, 

 spindle-shaped eggs attached to the leaves and stems attract as 

 much attention as the strikingly marked beetles. The beetles 

 winter under convenient shelter, and emerge in early spring when 

 the tender asparagus tips begin to grow. Eggs laid on these 

 shoots hatch into young grubs, .which feed on the tender stalk 

 until matm"e, when they enter the ground to complete the trans- 

 formation. They may be controlled by clean cutting of tender 

 shoots, by trap crops, and by poison sprays. 



Rust is the only fungous disease that causes much damage 

 to asparagus. This disease was undoubtedly introduced from 

 Europe. It was first noted in New England about 1896. Since 

 that time it has spread over the entire country. In the early 

 stages there is a reddening of the tops. This is followed by a 

 falling of the greenish, leaf-like structures, leaving the stalks bare. 

 Late in the season blackish raised spots appear on the old stalks. 

 These black spots contain the spores which winter over. Old 

 tops with these blackish spots should be cut off and burned. The 

 spears are not affected but the vitality of the plants is so lowered 

 by the rust that the crowns become unproductive. The most 

 effective method of combating asparagus rust is the use of resist- 

 ant varieties. The Palmetto and Washington strains are very 



