ASPARAGUS CULTURE. 



53 



tained in each variety, with the following result. We first ot 

 all weighed out 1400 grammes (3 lb.) of Argenteuil and 

 Dutch Asparagus, that is to say, 



Argenteuil Asparagus. Dutch Asparagus 



- Grammes. Grammes. 

 Undressed ... 1400 (3 lb.) Undressed ... 1400 (3 lb.) 



Con^td} 1070 < 2 " 35 ^SjS£$J }«*> (2-31 lb.) 



we? g d Ue d they ..}l050 (2-31 lb.) .. }l030 (2-26 lb. 



The Argenteuil Asparagus when The .Dutch Asparagus when 



served at table and eaten left a served at table and eaten left a 



residue of uneatable stalk weigh- residue of uneatable stalk weigh 



ing400 grammes (0*88 lb.), that ing 704 grammes (1*54 lb.), that 



is to say, the eatable portion of is to say, the eatable part of the 



the 1400 grammes of raw vege- 1400 grammes of raw vegetable 



table amounted to close on 1000 only amounted to 696 grammes 



grammes or 2*2 lb. or 1'53 lb. 



This variety took only twelve This variety took seventeen 

 minutes to cook, and was tender, minutes to cook, and was some- 

 Sweet, and pleasant to the taste, what woody and very bitter. 



These results show that there is really no comparison in point 

 of merit between the Argenteuil and Dutch varieties. In 

 point of quantity there is a difference of two-thirds in favour 

 of the former Asparagus. Again, in point of price the 

 advantage also rests with the Argenteuil variety, that is to 

 say, 1 franc (about 9|d.) against 30 cents (about 3d.). As 

 for the eatable portion, there is more than one-third more in 

 the Argenteuil variety. Those who grow to sell will have 

 little difficulty in deciding upon which variety to plant. The 

 amateur also who prefers quality to quantity will hesitate still 

 less, as the Argenteuil variety is sweeter and more succulent 

 than the Dutch, which has a disagreeably bitter flavour. To 

 this must be added the fact that the Dutch Asparagus requires 

 a richer soil and double the quantity of manure. 

 comparison between a plantation made with stools 

 of a Year Old and another made with Stools 

 of Two or Three Years Old. 



There are still persons who tBink that if they plant stools 

 of two and three years old they will be able to gather their 



