154 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



torn of the stalk, and cut it off sloping with a pointed knife, 

 taking care not to wound any other shoots that may be 

 near it, as they are constantly putting forth from the 

 crowns. Too many shoots should not be cut from the 

 beds, nor the gathering prolonged too late. Whenever 

 the bed puts up weak and small shoots, these should be 

 allowed to remain, which will increase the size of the 

 remaining shoots, and the future value of the bed. When 

 green peas become plentiful, it is high time the asparagus 

 bed should rest. After the cutting ceases, you may judge 

 from the size of the summer shoots the productiveness of 

 the bed the coming spring. These elaborate the food for 

 the future crop. The manure applied in autumn has but 

 little effect on the next spring's shoots, but from its influ- 

 ence, the strong growth of the succeeding summer will 

 prepare an abundant supply of large shoots the second 

 spring. The spring and autumn dressings should be con- 

 tinued while the bed lasts. Beds will remain productive 

 ten or fifteen years. By planting a hot-bed thickly with 

 thrifty roots, it comes into bearing in four weeks, and 

 affords asparagus for a month in the winter season. Give 

 plenty of air in mild weather. 



For iSeec?.-— Reserve some of the best shoots in the 

 spring, and mark them by placing a stake by each one, and 

 let them run up and ripen their seeds. Take shoots with 

 fine, round, close heads ; fasten them as they grow up to 

 the stake, and the seed will ripen better, Grather the seed 

 when ripe, and wash off the pulp and husk, which will 

 pass off with the water, if gently poured off, and the seeds 

 will sink to the bottom. Dry them thoroughly, and store 

 away for use. They are, for your own sowing, just as well 

 kept and sown in the pulp. 



Asparagus seed will keep four years. 



Use. — The tender shoots thrown up in the spring when 



