10 ASPAEAGTJS CULTURE. 



a great number of common garden frames. A trencn a foot 

 or so wider than the frame and 15 inches deep was then cast 

 out, and in this was placed about 2 feet of London stable 

 manure, and on this again a few inches of the rich friable 

 earth of the old market garden which had been cast out of the 

 trench, to secure the heat from evaporating. Then, soon after 

 the frames were placed in a straight line on the hotbed, the 

 plants were very carefully placed on the soil in the frame, 

 covering them immediately with 3 or 4 inches more soil, or 

 more if the Asparagus was required blanched throughout. 

 If wanted quite blanched, of course air and light were not 

 admitted. Every twenty-four days or so a fresh set of beds 

 was made to keep up the supply. 



Forcing may be commenced in TsTovember and continued till 

 Asparagus is fit to gather in the open air. One of the best ways 

 is to make a slight hotbed with stable manure, leaves, tan, &c. 

 (these last materials, if easily obtained, will do well to mix with 

 the manure), in a Melon pit, or under a common Cucumber 

 frame. Two and a half feet high will be quite sufficient, and on 

 the surface of the bed should be placed a few inches of light 

 soil, leaf -mould, or sifted potting refuse, on which to place the 

 plants, because such material does not act so effectually in 

 repressing the heat as ordinary garden soil; and when the 

 roots are taken up as completely and carefully as possible and 

 placed thickly on this, they should be covered with a few more 

 inches of the same material. If the Asparagus be required of 

 its natural colour — and that is unquestionably the best way to 

 enjoy it — give the frame full light and air when fine. Water occa- 

 sionally with tepid water. After one good watering in the early 

 stage, a little will afterwards suffice, for the winter crops at all 

 events, as the slow evaporation of the period and the natural 

 moisture of the bed will preserve the soil in a nice moist state. 

 The heat of the bed must be preserved when it gets low by a 

 lining, in the usual old-fashioned way, and by covering closely 

 with mats or litter at night in cold weather — that is, if it be a 

 common frame, but if in a brick pit this will not be necessary. 

 The chief point is to be patient at first, to let it get a slow start, 

 and not be over excited at any time, or it will start away and 

 produce nothing but very weakly, spindling shoots ; whereas, 

 by bringing it on gradually and regularly, a really respectable 

 cutting may be obtained. 



It is also frequently forced by being placed on the floor, or 

 on a bench or pit of some kind, in an early vinery or other 

 forcing house; and, whenever there is space to spare, and the 



