ASPAItAGUS CULTURE. 



17 



beds are forced every second year only. The gathering of the 

 Asparagns may continue for about two months, but no longer, 

 or the plantation would be injured. When the gathering of 

 the Asparagus is over, the frames and dung linings are taken 

 away, and the soil which has been dug up from the alleys is 

 put back again. The preceding applies to the forcing of the 

 better qualities of Asparagus chiefly. A speciality is made of 

 forcing the smaller sized Asparagus. It is in the garden of 

 M. Caucannier, Place de l'Egiise, at Clichy, and a number of 

 iron houses are there devoted to the culture. Indeed, if I 

 mistake not, those in the Jardin Fleuriste are copied from 

 them. There are frames within each house, just as in many 

 propagating houses in England, and beneath them the 

 Asparagus is forced for the markets, and in large quantities.. 

 The houses are heated by hot water, and the culture in other 

 respects resembles that which is practised in forcing gardeng 

 in England — that is, when the plants are taken up to be 

 forced indoors or in pits. The disturbance weakens the roots 

 a good deal, and by this method the large table Asparagus is 

 never forced. M. Caucannier and other growers produce it 

 specially in a small state for soups, &c, but it is impossible to 

 obtain in this way the large table Asparagus. 



ME. NIVEN'S METHOD OF CULTURE. 



[Mr. Mven for a long time cultivated Asparagus with suck 

 success at Drumcondra, near Dublin, that we have thought 

 it well to give his method of culture.] 



Any time during the winter or spring choose any portion of the 

 surface of your garden, with an open south exposure ; it matters 

 not much what the soil may be on which the plantation is to be 

 placed — provided the surface-water, in winter, does not stag- 

 nate on, or about it — but a soil of sandy quality is always te 

 be preferred, where it can be obtained ; but where not to be 

 had, it is easy to add a few loads of sand in the surface pre- 

 paration. Having fixed upon the space to be occupied, a layer 

 of half -rotted leaves, or rotten hot-bed dung, may be spread 

 over the whole, about 3 inches thick, to which might be added* 

 where it can be obtained, a stratum of sea-weed. This, 

 during the winter, should be slightly dug into the ground 

 leaving the surface in narrow ridges, to receive the action of 

 the weather. Or, it may be done immediately before planting 

 in spring ; @ the former time of preparation is, however* 

 preferable. This process of surface management may be 



