ASPARAGUS. 209 
beaten, to about eighteen inches above the surface of the 
ground. The bed is-also covered with prepared dung. In 
about twelve days, when the buds have begun to appear, 
the latter covering is removed, glazed frames are placed, 
resting upon the brickwork, a little fine soil is sifted over 
the plants, the linings in the trenches are raised higher, 
and the whole treated like a common hotbed. In this way, 
we are informed, excellent supplies may be obtained, and 
the plants may be forced every year. + 
Before leaving this subject, it may be mentioned that 
about Bath the young flower-spikes of Ornithogalum 
pyrenaicum, found native in that neighborhood, are used 
like asparagus, under the name Prussian Grass. 
Much time may be saved in getting full-bearing beds, if, 
instead of sowing the seed, the roots be set out, a practice 
commonly resorted to in the United States, where ‘the 
young roots are a regular marketable article. The soil 
should be a loam, at least two feet deep, and cannot well 
be made too rich. The beds should be about four feet 
wide with two feet alleys between. The roots, when taker 
up, must not be long exposed to the air, so as to get dry 
and should be deposited in rows drawn with a line stretch. 
ed lengthwise on the bed, about twelve inches asunder, be- 
ginning nine inches from the edge. The small trench o1 
furrows may be about three inches deep, and the roots set 
in these about nine inches apart, are to be covered with the 
fine earth thrown out in making the furrows. The culti 
vation during the first season eonsists merely in keeping 
down the weeds and grass. The succeeding winter, cover 
three or four inches deep with well-rotted manure. In 
order to secure the formation of strong crowns, the plants 
are allowed during the first two summers to run up to 
stalks. After the third year, the stalks should be cut 
