ASPARAGUS CULTURE. 



75 



1 get as many heads in number, but they are not nearly so 

 large, although they have just the same manure as the others. 

 There is also another objection, and that is the cutting, which 

 is a very back-aching job, as both hands must be down on the 

 ground at once. I have not the least doubt that very good 

 Asparagus will be the result of the prizes offered. 



St. Peter's- street, Colchester. A. J. Harwood. 



I have grown Asparagus on the Argenteuil system for 



several years, and, although I grow it on both systems — that is, 

 in beds and single lines — I consider that that cut from the 

 latter is the strongest and best. I always plant one-year-old 

 seedlings, never older. I leave 4 ft. between the rows and 



2 ft. plant from plant, but I think that 3 ft. between them 

 would be better, a distance that I am now trying. As our 

 soil is stony and naturally poor we trench the ground, incorpo- 

 rating with it at the same time some manure or good loam ; 

 we plant in April. As to after treatment, when the plants are 

 established, we apply manure over the roots in autumn and a 

 dressing of salt in spring, when the plants are in active 

 growth, and in dry seasons we give them occasional waterings 

 with liquid manure from a farmyard tank ; last, but not least, 

 we have to take great care to support them against wind- 

 waving and breakage, which we do by running a line attached 

 to stakes at proper distances up one side and down the other* 

 This keeps the stems secure. 



Bloxholm Hall, Sleaford. D. Lumsden. 



I like your proposition with regard to the improvement 



of the culture of Asparagus ; there is great room for it, as the 

 majority of gardeners are content to follow in the footsteps of 

 their forefathers, and adhere to the old bed-and-alley system. 

 I have long been of opinion that that system is not calculated 

 to realise the most profitable results, but my aspirations have 

 not gone beyond single rows 3 ft. apart and the plants 18 in. 



