ASPARAGUS CULTURE. 



73 



on the stiff est and deepest clays in England, though we should 

 not advise anyone to compete for prizes under such circum- 

 stances. But the object is to let people throughout the 

 country see that the wretched little spindly shoots grown in 

 many gardens has nothing in common with good Asparagus. 

 This once clear no one will be satisfied with the present mode 

 of culture. — Ed.] 



A rich, deep, friable, sandy loam is doubtless the best 



soil in which to plant Asparagus, and when this is in a high 

 state of culture manure, at the time of planting, is unnecessary. 

 I look upon surface manuring with far more favour than the 

 more general method of working in so much raw manure at 

 the time of planting, an idea which has done much to deter 

 the public from attempting Asparagus culture so fully as its 

 merits deserve, except in the gardens of the rich. Any 

 ordinary soil, with but little care as regards culture, will pro- 

 duce good Asparagus. Doubtless soils and situation, &c, have 

 much to do with its perfect success ; still, our system of 

 cultivation is much at fault. 



Witley Court, Stourport. Geo. Westland. 



With the view of improving Asparagus culture in this 



country, I am of opinion that planting should not be done till 

 May at the earliest. March is decidedly too early in this 

 country, and April, too, in many places. Great blanks would 

 be certain to occur in the beds ; and, as by the Argenteuil 

 system very wide planting is recommended, the loss of ground 

 would be great. Certainly, if no preparation of the ground 

 be required at the beginning, it would be a great saving of time 

 and money compared with the old plan, as deep tilth and 

 plenty of manure have always been considered indispensable 

 from the beginning. 



Worthy Hall, near Sheffield. J. Simpson. 



