514 On the Cultivation of Asparagus during the Winter. 



The quantity of Asparagus which may be expected from 

 four beds of the above mentioned size, depends much on the 

 state and age of the plants. I had, for instance, last year, 

 1822, on his Majesty's birth-day, January 28th, two thousand 

 seven hundred fine Asparagus, which the British Minister, 

 The Right Hon. Augustus Foster, witnessed on the day 

 they were collected,* and the beds for a fortnight after that 

 yielded some fine Asparagus. I thus calculate the whole 

 produce at four thousand, exclusive of small ones. 



I am induced to believe that in a country where this vege- 

 table is in demand, the cost of this mode of cultivation would 

 be amply repaid, and particularly in a season when other vege- 

 tables are scarce. It is true, the requisite quantity of dung 

 will cause much expense, but after it has been used for that 

 purpose, it is not lost. After the beds have yielded their crop, 

 I collect all the dung which was laid on them, and a good 

 layer from the top of the alley, this I mix with fresh dung, 

 from the hot-beds, and find it very useful in the spring, when 

 dung is much in demand. Asparagus plants thus forced, are 

 in some measure injured, but by no means destroyed, three 

 seasons being necessary for their restoration, after which they 

 may be forced again successfully. When Asparagus is in- 

 tended to be forced later, as, for instance, in the beginning of 

 February, less dung is wanted, as the alleys require it to be 

 only to half their depth, and less covering on the beds is 

 required, for nature assists art at that season. 



Our market gardeners who force Asparagus for sale, apply 

 half sea weed (Fucus vesiculosus) and half horse dung, which, 



* The Asparagus when gathered from time to time, must be put in dry sand, 

 m a cellar or green-house, not laid flat, but always upright in regular rows, where 

 they will keep fresh and good, for a fortnight or three weeks. 



