1907.] Artificial Manures for Asparagus. 



683 



financial success of agriculture are due in many instances to the 

 Jack of system and intimate knowledge of the business, which 

 can only be acquired by means of systematic farm plans and 

 profit and loss figures. Mistakes once made which are clearly 

 shown in the books, may be rectified in succeeding years, 

 whereas poor methods may remain in vogue for a long period 

 if no means are at hand for knowing the exact position of the 

 enterprise. Many farm operations are carried on at a loss, 

 which must be met by the profits from other branches if the farm 

 as a whole is to be remunerative to the farmer. The remedy is 

 a system of book-keeping which will clearly show each year the 

 financial status of each enterprise. 



Asparagus is cultivated in France, not only in gardens, but 



also in open fields in many of those districts where the soil 



is favourable to its production. Not much 



Artificial ^isk is involved in its s^rowth, as it suffers 

 Manures for , 1 r ,.1 



Asparag'US. much less from disease than many other 



crops ; no expensive machines are required, 



and the capital outlay is not great. At the same time, the 



market is a large one, as the consumption of this vegetable has 



become very popular in France, and it is sold at prices within 



the reach of all. Its production is chiefly in the hands of the 



small holders. 



In view, however, of the lack of exact information relating to 

 the best method of manuring and cultivation, an exhaustive 

 investigation* has been made by Messrs. Rousseaux and Brioux 

 at the Experiment Station for the Department of Yonne, the 

 results of which, although primarily of local application, may 

 be of interest to growers in England. 



The soils on which asparagus is grown in this district are very 

 light, sandy, poor in clay and humus, and consequently very 

 subject to a great loss of manurial constituents by rain, and 

 whilst relying on farmyard manure as a basis which furnishes to 

 a soil of this character the humus it naturally lacks, it has been 



* Bulletin Mensnel, Mini st ere de V Agriailiiire, November, 1906, See also 

 "Asparagus Growing in Yx^nce,'' Journal, November, 1906, p. 493. 



