1906.] Asparagus Growing in France. 



493 



after cropping not to use again until the manure is exhausted. 

 Under this system, by the erection of wire-netting fences round 

 the entire range, the fox difficulty would be largely overcome. 

 By this plan areas of land now uncultivated could be profitably 

 occupied, more especially in connection with small holdings in 

 many parts of the country to which it is specially suitable. 



American experience also favours the use of houses with 

 fronts made of wire-netting, the improved ventilation leading to 

 better laying, greater vigour, enhanced fertility of the eggs and 

 stronger chickens. Natural methods of hatching and rearing 

 are preferred for the production of breeding stock, but incuba- 

 tors and brooders are found to be essential for supplying laying 

 hens, table chickens, and ducklings. 



Two systems of feeding are in vogue in America, which Mr. 

 Brown considers should be tested by British poultry-keepers. 

 One is the " dry mash " method of giving food in the meal form 

 without any added moisture, and the other is the use of 

 hoppers by which food is kept before the birds at all times, so 

 that they eat whenever they like. Neither the United States 

 nor Canada is considered likely to export eggs to British 

 markets for some time to come, but the trade in chickens from 

 the Western States may probably increase to a large extent. 



Reference is made to a disease in turkeys known as " black- 

 head," which had a disastrous effect in the Eastern States, and 

 in some parts of Canada. This disease is unknown in Great 

 Britain, and Mr. Brown urges the importance of steps being 

 taken to prevent the introduction of affected birds, by pro- 

 hibiting the importation of breeding turkeys from Canada and 

 the United States. 



Asparagus is one of the most commonly cultivated vegetables 



in France, and one of the most generally appreciated. la many 



localities, and particularly round Paris, the 



Asparagus production and sale of asparagus has loner 

 Growingr m f . , ^ . , , 



France. been an mdustry of importance, and the 



district of Argenteuil has given its name 



to two varieties, the early and late Giant Argenteuil asparagus. 



M. Philip de Vilmorin in his work " Les Plantes Potageres " 



