ASPARAGUS CULTURE. 



25 



apparent anomaly simply arises from certain growers having 

 adopted an intelligent and rational method of cultivation. By 

 this means the Argenteuil Asparagus has reached such a state 

 of perfection that it is impossible to mistake it for the old- 

 fashioned varieties. Compared with them it gives crops of 

 triple weight and size, while the Early variety comes to per- 

 fection ten days earlier than any other known kind. The 

 appreciation bestowed on this variety everywhere is conse- 

 quently fully accounted for. 



Early and Late Argenteuil and Dutch Asparagus. 



Late Asparagus.— The Late Asparagus as grown at 

 Argenteuil is often flat in form ; the eyes are prominent and 

 arranged in a spiral, and the point is short and stumpy. When 

 well grown the heads are from in. to 7J in. in circum- 

 ference at a distance of 8f in. from the tip. Fig. 1 shows 

 one of these heads drawn from nature. There were others 

 grown at the same time which were much larger, but this 

 one was chosen on account of its representing the purest type 

 of this variety. The entire stem of the Late Asparagus 

 when full grown measures from 5 ft. 10 in. to 7 ft. 8 in. in 

 height. This variety is very vigorous, will thrive in almost 

 any kind of soil, and lasts for many years. The crown of 

 the root rises but slowly out of the ground ; the Late variety 

 therefore is better adapted for a shallow soil than the Early 

 variety. It produces less than its congener during the first 

 years of its growth ; but, on the other hand, it lasts much 

 longer. We have seen Asparagus beds twenty-seven years 

 old which still yielded abundant crops, the heads measuring 

 from 2J in. to 3^ in. in circumference. 



Early Asparagus.— The Early Argenteuil Asparagus 

 (fig. 2) is generally round, but sometimes slightly flattened. 

 The eyes are not so prominent as in the Late variety, and they 

 form less regular spirals. The point is conical, often swollen 

 in the middle, and longer. The heads measure from 2f in. to 

 «5J in. in circumference at 8f in. from the tip. Fig. 2 shows 

 a head of Early Asparagus of the average size drawn from 



