334 On the Modes of Cultivating Asparagus in Austria. 



shoots fit for use must be gathered, and the weakest suffered 

 to remain standing, to keep alive the vegetative power as long 

 as possible. By these means we obtain in July, and even later, 

 a fewheads of Asparagus, though of inferior size and quality. 



To give to Asparagus shoots growing in the open air as 

 much length and tenderness as possible, there is inserted 

 over each stem destined to be gathered, as soon as it shoots 

 above ground, a wooden tube or pipe eighteen inches high, 

 and one inch in diameter. 



To the above description of the modes in use in Austria for 

 the culture of Asparagus, the following practical observations 

 may be added. 



1st. The plants must not be cut for use for five years, if 

 we wish to have them in the fullest health and strength, and 

 to obtain the strongest possible shoots. 



2d. Subsequently, too many shoots must not be cut from 

 any root. 



3rd. We must not be too eager to gather the best, but leave 

 on each plant two or three of the strongest shoots, to prevent 

 its premature exhaustion by the evolution of new shoots. 



4th. No other vegetable should be grown on Asparagus 

 beds. 



5th. Every new plantation of Asparagus must always be in 

 new ground, or at least in ground which has been employed 

 for several years in the culture of other vegetables, since it 

 was used for Asparagus ; and, 



Lastly, when a fresh plantation is intended for artificial 

 beds, which generally occupy a place set apart for the pur^ 

 pose in the garden, the old earth must be cleared out to the 

 requisite depth, and its place supplied with new. 



