Asparagus 



29 



3. Seeds of asparagus (X 5). 



Seedlings. 



One may purchase asparagus plants of dealers. It is usu- 

 ally better, however, to grow one's own plants, particularly 



if one has a rich piece of land 

 and can give it careful atten- 

 tion. The seed is sown in drills 

 15 to 18 inches apart (or farther 

 asunder for horse tillage), and 

 it is covered about an inch 

 in depth. Germination is slow. 

 The seeds may be soaked in warm water a day before 

 planting. The plants should be thinned to stand 3 or 4 

 inches in the row. Give 

 frequent tillage throughout 

 the season. The following 

 spring these plants will be 

 ready for setting in their 

 permanent places. The 

 seeds and the seedlings are 

 seen in Figs. 3 and 4. 



Seedlings may be ex- 

 pected to vary consider- 

 ably ; it is essential to best 

 results to use only care- 

 fully selected seeds. In 

 the selection, the most 

 vigorous and productive 

 plants should be marked 

 and left for seed. Usually only part of the shoots are 

 allowed to remain to each crown, to insure well-developed 



Young seedlings of asparagus, 

 natural size.) 



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