362 Account of a Method of forcing Asparagus. 



given me the following account of his practice. The pits in 

 which his succession Pines are kept in the summer, have at 

 bottom a layer of leaves, about eighteen inches deep, covered 

 with the same thickness of tan, which becomes quite cold 

 when the pines are removed. In one of the pits he spread 

 over the entire surface of the old tan a quantity of Asparagus 

 roots, which he covered with six inches more of tan, and 

 applied linings of hot dung, successively renewed, round the 

 sides, keeping up thereby a good heat. This was done in 

 the middle of December, and in five weeks the crop was fit 

 for use. As soon as the shoots made their appearance, and 

 during the day time, he took off the lights, introducing as 

 much air as possible, which gave them a good natural colour, 

 and the size was nearly as large as if they had been produced 

 in the open ground, at the usual season. 



I observed to Mr. Ross, that I thought, the plan would be 

 improved, if the roots were planted in mould, rather than in 

 tan ; in this point he agreed with me, observing, that he 

 would nevertheless retain the under layer of eighteen inches 

 of tan, which he was convinced, would be of great service, 

 since it so readily admitted the passage of the heat, and that 

 he should in all cases, prefer the use of a bed so constructed, 

 to the cold dung-beds of Mr. Hogg, on which he grows the 

 early potatoes, which, from having lain together for some 

 time, become too compact for the heat to penetrate into them 

 easily. 



From the above observations, I hope the gardener will be 

 able to take such hints, as will improve the practice in this 

 part of his business. To insure perfect success, it is expedient 

 to have good roots to place in the bed ; the usual plan of taking 



