CURRIE BROTHERS CO. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 
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ARTICHOKE 
The Globe Artichoke bears large round heads with thick fleshy scales, which are cooked and served like Aspara- 
gus. Sow the seed early in March and transplant when warm in rows four feet apart and two feet in the rows. 
Cut the tops off in winter and protect with a heavy covering of straw or leaves. The first season will only yield a 
partial crop. The second year thin the shoots to three of the best and these will begin to form heads early in sum- 
mer. 
Another use is to cut back the stems close to the ground early in summer. The young shoots which starts up 
rapidly may be tied close together, filling in between with soil to exclude the air until they are blanched, and these 
are used in various forms of cookery or as a salad. LARGE GREEN GLOBE—PKt., 10c; oz., 75c. 
ASPARAGUS 
Asparagus may be grown in almost any soil, and under nearly all conditions, but succeeds best 
in a rich, sandy friable loam with good under drainage, and yet not too dry. Avoid planting near 
trees or tall shrubs, because of the shade and heavy draft on the fertility of the ground. Choose 
an open space with a southern exposure. 
Put the soil into the best possible condition before planting by working in a liberal quantity 
of well rotted manure, or commercial fertilizer will do where barnyard manure is not available. 
For family gardens dig a trench 18 inches wide for each row, placing a few inches of manure in 
the bottom. covering it with two or three inches of soil to prevent the roots coming in contact 
with the manure before active growth has begun. Set the plants from 15 to 18 inches apart in 
the rows, and 36 inches between the rows. In field culture it is best to set the plants 
three to four feet apart. In planting, the roots should be spread by dividing them in the middle, 
setting them over little hills of soil placed in the bottom of the trench, thus raising the crown 
a few inches above extremities of the roots, and at once cover with three or four inches of soil 
for green, and eight to ten inches for White Asparagus, taking care to press the soil firmly about 
the roots. The plants may be set either in spring or late in fall. We advise planting in this 
latitude as early in the spring as the ground can be worked. The Asparagus plant is slow to die 
down in the fall, so the roots cannot safely be dug until about November Ist. By this time the 
soil is so cool that the plants do not root readily, consequently many are winter killed. 
Frequent cultivation is required to keep down weeds and to provide a mulch of loose earth for 
the retention of moisture, care being taken not to injure the young sprouts in the opera- 
tion. 
Cutting should not hegin until the plants are strong and vigorous, which is generally two or 
three years after planting, and should be discontinued after the first of July. Later cropping is 
done at the expense of weakening the roots. The plants should be allowed to fully mature before 
cutting off early in winter, and a top dressing of three or four inches of barnyard manure applied. 
Asparagus being a gross feeder. naturally requires heavy fertilizing, and an application of commer- 
cial fertilizer early in spring will he beneficial. 
Asparagus may he found suffering from blight, a condition frequently brought on by pro- 
longing the cropping season, thereby weakening the roots, or it may be due to a want of fertility. 
So as to prevent it, apply a liberal quantity of manure every year, and above all avoid extending 
the cutting period too long. Should blight appear, however, spray the plants freely with Bordeaux 
Mixture, and destroy the affected parts. 
ASPARAGUS 
Washington Rust Proof—A new variety. the result of breeding by the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 
to obtain a rust-proof Asparagus. Is nearer to heing rust-proof than any other variety. The 
shoots are large and deep green in color. Pkt., 10c; oz., 25c; % lb., 75c; 1 1b., $2.50. 
Columbian Mammoth White—A large white variety. ; 
Giant Argenteuil— A popular main crop sort, grows to a large size. 
Palmetto—An early green sort. 
Pkt., 10c; oz., 15c; % Ib., 35c; 1 Ib.. $1.00. 
A 2 doz 100 1000 
SPaneeys: Dalmeon ea oo ne Pea) Mins $3.00] $17.00 
Columbian Mammoth White ......... -45 | 85 | 3.00 17.00 
Washington Rustproof ..........-..- -60 | 1.10 | 3.00 | 20.00 
If wanted by mail, add 5c per dozen; 25c per 100. 
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