ASPARAGUS CULTURE. 



g 



cnt from it now average from 12 lbs. to 14 lbs. weight, tlie 



heads being 7 inches in length. Even after forty years' exist- 

 ence, this plantation is still improving, and it looks as if it 

 would be as good sixty years hence as it is now. 



Wherever ordinary farm-yard manure is not very abundant 

 and labour plentiful, a good result may be obtained by col- 

 lecting together all decomposing vegetable matter — old 

 hotbeds, Mushroom beds, pig refuse, &c, with seaweed where 

 convenient ; and, when the position for the beds is determined 

 upon, this should be spread upon the ground about a foot 

 thick, and turned over with 2 or 3 feet of the earth two or 

 three times in winter. This treatment will be attended with 

 very excellent results. 



The application of salt as a top dressing is of great benefit 

 to Asparagus in inland districts, but is of little or no value 

 in the vicinity of salt water. It should be applied in spring 

 and very early summer by scattering some common coarse 

 salt over the ground in showery weather. Old and well- 

 established plantations are particularly benefited by this 

 treatment; but in no case should it be applied to plants 

 recently removed, for all such, however carefully transplanted, 

 must have wounded roots, to which salt would prove very 

 injurious ; nor should it; be applied at any time when the 

 roots are in a dormant state. Besides its beneficial effects 

 upon the plant as a manure, it is very destructive to the wire- 

 worm and other insects so injurious to the roots of the 

 Asparagus. Salt may safely be applied at the rate of 2 lbs. 

 per square yard. It is, however, better to give this quantity 

 in two doses. It should not be applied in dry or gunny 

 weather. 



SEED SOWING. 



Asparagus is propagated by seed, which may either be sown 

 when ripe in October, or in spring ; but the latter time is cer- 

 tainly the best. It may either be sown on the ground pre- 

 pared for the plantation, or in drills one foot apart in beds of 

 light, rich, sandy soil, and transplanted to a permanent 

 position when one year old, which is by far the most desirable 

 method. To get strong clean plants at one year old, and to 

 save a year's strength, sow thinly, and hoe out quickly after the 

 plants are up, with a sharp one-hand 3-inch hoe, or otherwise 

 thin the plants to 3 or 4 inches apart, taking care to select all 

 the strongest plants to stand ; thus, very strong clean plants 

 may bs produced in one year. By keeping the seed beds 



