PERENNIAL VEGETABLE PROJECTS 



277 



10. Harvesting and marketing. — Asparagus should be cut 

 before the shoots begin to break and form tops. In order to 

 cut each shoot before this happens, the fields must be looked over 

 frequently, nearly every day, when the growing conditions are 

 most favorable. The 

 length of the shoots 

 will be determined 

 largely by market de- 

 mands, 7 to 10 inches, 

 when bunched, being 

 the most common 

 length. Even with 

 green shoots, a com- 

 mon practice is to cut 

 the shoot 2 inches 

 or more below the 

 surface of the ground. 



The bunches should 

 be of the proper size 

 to meet market re- 



FiG. 69. — Asparagus ready to cut. 



quirements. They generally weigh from two to three pounds. 

 One pound bunches are preferred by many consumers, especially 

 when asparagus is selling at rather high prices. Asparagus 

 should be graded, thoroughly cleaned, and the bunches tied with 

 blue or red tape. 



1. How often should the plantation be looked over for marketable 



shoots? W-VG:221. H:85. 



2. What should be the length of the shoots when cut for market ? 



W-VG : 221. 



3. How should they be harvested and prepared for market ? 

 W-VG : 221-223. L : 198. C : 118. 



