ASPABAOrS onLTnB& 25 



apparant anomaly simply arises from certain growers having 

 adopted an intelligent and rational method of cultivation. By 

 this means the Argenteuil Asparagus has reached such a state 

 of perfection that it is impossible to mistake it for the old- 

 fashioned varieties. Compared with them it gives crops of 

 triple weight and size, while the Early variety comes to per- 

 fection ten days earlier than any other known kind. The 

 appreciation bestowed on this variety everywhere is conse- 

 quently fuUy accounted for, 



Eably and Late Aegbntbdil aud Dutch AsPABAaua. 



Lat e Asparagu s.— The Late Asparagus as grown at 

 Argenteuil is often fl at in form ; the eyes are prominent a nd 

 a rranged in «■ i jj^iraJ ^ ana tiie point is short and stump y. When 



wf>11 frrnvan tTin hfnAa am fr nm H^ m. tr> 74 in. in circn m- 



f erence at a distance of 8| in. from the ti p, ij'ig. 1 sliowa 

 one ot these beads drawn from nature. There were others 

 grown at the same time which were much larger, but this 

 one was chosen on account of its representing the purest type 

 of this variety. The entire stem of the Late Asparagus 

 whftn full t rrnwn Tnoggnrpg frnm .5 f t 10 in. to 7 ft. 8 in. i n 

 height . This variety is very vigorous, will thrive in almost 

 any kind of soil, and l asts tor many yea rs. The crown of 

 the root rises but slowly out of the ground ; the Late variety 

 therefore is better adapted for a shallow soi l than the Early 

 variety. It produces less tnan its congener during the first 

 years of its growth ; but, on the other hand, it lasts much 

 longer. We have seen Asparagus beds twenty-seven years 

 old which still yielded abundant crops, the heads measunng 

 from 2| in. to SJ in. in circumferenca 



Early Asparagus.— The Early Argenteuil Asparagus 

 (fig. 2) is g enerally round, but sometimes slightly flatten ed. 

 The eyes are not so prominent as in the Late variety, and "they 

 fo nn less regular spira la The point is conical, often swol len 



UEager. The heads measure from af in. 

 5fTn. i n circumferen ce at 8f in. from tJie tip. ±'ig. 2 shows 



inthfl^jjnririiR anfi InrTgrpr The hcads measuro from af in. to 

 S ffnTin circumference at 8| in. from the ti p. ±'ig. 2 shows 

 aTiead of Early Asparagus oi the aVeiagS size drawn from 



