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GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



This very clearly explains why salt and sea-weed are found 

 so beneficial, and shows that the application of bone ma- 

 nure, or superphosphate of lime, in connexion with animal 

 manures, may be beneficial. In the analysis of the wild 

 plant, the proportion of these elements is quite as large. 



Culture. — Asparagus is propagated only by seed, one 

 ounce of which will produce a thousand plants. Sow the 

 seed any time in February, or early in March. It likes a 

 fresh and deep sandy loam, the richer the better — as free 

 as possible from all shade of trees or shrubs. Soak the 

 seed twenty-four hours before planting, and it will come up 

 earlier ; draw the drills one foot apart, and with a dibble 

 make holes six inches distant, in which drop two or three 

 seeds. Let the seed be covered an inch deep, and press 

 the earth upon it. In very dry weather the seed-beds 

 should be frequently watered. If unable to sow as early 

 as directed, shade must be given to the bed, for which pur- 

 pose pineboughs are well suited. These should be removed 

 nights and cloudy days. Care must be taken to keep the 

 seed-bed light and free from weeds, though this operation 

 must be delayed until the plants appear well above ground. 

 If two plants appear in the same hole, the weaker must be 

 removed as soon as that point can be determined. Trans- 

 planted, these will make pretty good plants by fall. If 

 they are to remain in the seed-bed until spring, which is 

 best, when the stems are withered, cut them doAvn and 

 spread well-rotted stable dung over the bed two inches 

 deep, which will increase the vigor of the plants the next 

 year, and also protect them from frost. 



Asparagus treated in this manner will perfect seed the 

 first year in this climate, and the roots one year old, make 

 quite as good beds as if allowed to remain in the seed-plot 

 another year. You may plant them out safely in autumn 

 or any time during the winter, choosing a mild cloudy day, 



