70 



PRACTICE OF GARDEiiUiG. 



ThiOTigli most rhubarb plants "will prodnoe seed, they 

 stoiild not be allowed to do so, and only a few flower 

 stems should ce -ff- ^^'iitH seed is requii'ed, as they will 

 exhaust the rc :: .- : - ic: j v.i pose. 



This is an invaluable plani for small gardens, producing 

 the means of making puddings and tarts from the spring 

 till the end of autumn. If well manured, and grown in 

 a shady place, it continues good all the summer; a cir- 

 cumstance that requires to be better known. 



7. — Asparagus, 



This 1= : veiy delicate vegetable, generally reputed to 

 be an exp ensive one, but not wholly unprofitable, and 

 producing a very elegant dish, besides being readily dis- 

 posed of in any market. It is regarded more as a luxury, 

 because generally eaten only when its stems have just 

 pushed through the surface of the ground, at whidi time 

 their points alone vrill ce a: a"l eatable. But if they are 

 allowed to grow five ;i six in : _es above ground, a double 

 or treble portion of edible matter will be produced, and 

 the plant will consequently become to the same extent 

 more profitable. 



The seeds may be sown broadcasi^ or in drills :ne foot 

 apart, on Hght rich earth, in the month of cl . and 

 slightly trodden in and covered. The youn^ : l? :i:s will 

 simply require cleaning till the autumn, whri. tlrT can 

 be covered with litter or light manur^ and :n 

 then" permanent places in March foUowing. 



Asparagus should be grown in bed8,ab: ..: : : : ler* 

 wide, with the rows nearh' a foot apar^ an:! : 

 six inches from each other in the rows. I: :e:_;:res : 

 light rich alluvial soil, which should be weli i r: irii ^lT i 

 with rotten manui'e. Between each bed, the: r : l i r 

 an alley left, two feet in width, into which aii :„e ^ er - 

 are usually di^awn during summer, n :i ~eil ' _ ::i i : 

 the early autumn. From these al:e7S. : : : :_ : n : ^ : 1, r:i = 

 riched with rotten manure, shoul:! _ ^-f:^ -m :i_^ 



and laid on the beds to the depth ;: :_:£r : ::Le: I_:s 

 will supply a light medium for the siems lo t: ? u.i:. 

 and fui'nish fresh nutriment to the roots at tLe ?a:i:e ::i_e. 

 Strong soils are bad for asparagus : and eve. Tti.::., else 



