158 



The Cultivation of Asparagus. [JUNe% 



so much that the produce is only fit for making soup. It has 

 been observed that the blight is most prevalent where the soi 

 is sandy and poor, so that manuring the soil well may be 

 regarded as a preventive measure. 



Animals ivhich. Harm Asparagus. — Among quadrupeds the 

 black field rat is the most destructive. This animal is about 

 twice the size of a field mouse. Where they have once settled 

 it is most difficult to exterminate them. 



Moles also do harm by raising the earth, but the older plants 

 are not affected in this way. Of insects, the larva of the 

 asparagus beetle is most to be dreaded.* A good method of 

 catching the beetles is to place cups under the plants, on shaking 

 which the insects fall off ; they are otherwise difficult to find 

 after falling from the plant. 



Expense of Grozving Asparagus in Brunsivick. — The initial 

 expenses, i.e., the cost of making beds and maintaining them in the 

 first and second years, are given below, and from this estimate 

 it will be seen that if we suppose the beds to last fifteen years^ 

 the average cost per acre per year would amount to 25s. 4d. : — 



;^ S. d. ' 



Rent for two years, per acre ... ... ... ... 4 10 o 



Lime for the ground ... ... ..» ...060 



Ten loads of dung at 4s. 6d. per load, including haulage 250 

 4,500 asparagus plants, los. per 1,000 ... ... ... 250 



Initial cost of preparing and making the beds ... ... 3 o o 



6 cwt. artificial manure in autumn of first and second year 170 

 Carting of same and digging ... ... ... ... 100 



Work in second year ... ... ... ... ... o 15 o 



Two years' weeding and cleaning... ... ... ...040 



Other work, hoeing, &c ...200 



4 cwt. artificial manure in second year ... ... ... 018 o 



Miscellaneous ... o 10 o 



^^9_oo 



Yearly Expenses after the Second Year. 



£ ^. d.. 



Making and maintaining the beds ... ... ... i 7 O' 



Rent 2 50 



Artificial manure for dressing ... ... ... ... o 18 o 



Work in autumn, cleaning, hoeing, and weeding ... o 8 O' 

 Work in spring, digging ... ... ... ... ... i 5 0' 



Wages for cutting the asparagus ... ... ... ... 6 10 o 



Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... .. ... o 10 o 



£n 3 o 



* See the Board's Leaflet No. 47. 



