ASPARAGUS. 



179 



drained soils, for the reason that if it is done then, young 

 roots are formed, which are ready to grow on the ap- 

 proach of spring, but if the planting is done in March or 

 April, this formation of new roots has to take place then, 

 and causes a corresponding delay in growth. Plants are 

 sold by market gardeners and seedsmen, and as it will 

 save a year or two, to purchase them, it is not worth 

 while to raise them from seed in a private garden. The 

 edible portion is the undeveloped stems, which if cut 

 away as soon as they appear, are followed by others, 

 which start from the crown of the plant. The cutting, 



Fig. 68. — ASPARAGUS. 



if continued too long, would finally exhaust the root, 

 hence it is customary to stop cutting as soon as early peas 

 become plenty, and allow the remaining shoots to grow 

 during the remainder of the season, and thus accumulate 

 sufficient strength in the plant to allow it to produce an- 

 other crop of shoots the next season. The engraving, 

 (fig. 68), represents a strong plant with the earth re- 



