ASPARAGUS 
inches in height it is easy to tell the dif- 
ference between the tender and tough va- 
rieties The smaller seedlings with a 
tendency) to show woody fibre or a tough 
gnarled appearance should be weeded out. 
Buds and 
from plate 
Klura von Deutschland. ) 
—Fapmers Bulletin 61 
Propagation from Roots 
An asparagus plant has a very broad 
spreading crown, with a good many buds. 
Any plant which shows unusual merit in 
the spring when it starts into growth may 
have this crown divided. Often a half 
dozen plants may be started from the 
same crown. It is better to dig up the 
entire root, or as nearly so as it is con- 
venient to handle; then divide the plant 
Roots, 
Crown, 
and reduced, 
ig, 1. Asparagus 
Spear, (Redrawn 
1138 of Thome's 
D57 
into sections at the joints, so that each 
piece possesses a few buds and some roots 
attached. These roots may be planted as 
individual plants, and when they become 
established will produce the same as the 
parent plant from which they were sepa- 
rated. 
The roots may be set in autumn or 
early spring, in deep rich soil, and gen- 
erally the crown should be covered from 
four to six inches. In a light mellow 
soil the depth of setting may be greater 
than in a heavy compact soil. They 
should be well cultivated, especially for 
the first year or two, but after they are 
fully established they are such vigorous 
growers that they are generally neg- 
lected; but even then, good cultivation 
pays, for it produces a larger number of 
vigorous, succulent young stalks for the 
market 
nn Se 
lig 2 Knite for Cutting Asparagus. 
Cutting Asparagus 
It is never best to cut plants for the 
table or for market until the roots have 
been planted two years, or, in poor soils, 
three years. After the age for cutting, 
all sprouts should be kept cut, whether 
they are big enough for the market or 
not. If the smaller stems are allowed to 
appear, the plant ceases to produce more 
sprouts. Ordinarily one may continue to 
cut for the market as long as the sprouts 
are succulent and desirable. In cutting, 
care should be taken not to injure the 
root, but cut as close to the root as pos- 
sible without injury. When preparing for 
the markets, the sprouts should be washed 
in clean water, bunched and tied in neat 
small bundles. 
Varieties 
Among the best varieties are Conover’s 
Colossal, which has very large stems, 
starts early in the spring and has a pro- 
nounced flavor. The Palmetto and Mam- 
moth are sweeter, have a less pronounced 
flavor, and are preferred by many per- 
sons. Late in the autumn the tops 
should be mowed close to the ground and 
the field given a heavy coating of manure. 
