552 



Commercial Asparagus Cultivation. 



[OCT., 



as fine asparagus as any that is imported, and an extension 

 of its cultivation amongst market gardeners and small-holders 

 would be both practicable and profitable. 



The principal advantage in asparagus cultivation, and one 

 not possessed by most other vegetables, is that the value of 

 this crop is high in proportion to its bulk, and it has been 

 found to be a very profitable crop in suitable districts. In 

 the vale of Evesham, asparagus occupies a foremost position 

 among other vegetable crops; and there are probably other 

 districts where the Evesham conditions exist. 



Suitability for Small Holders. — The plant is one which is 

 eminently adapted to cultivation by small holders. The 

 demand for asparagus at a reasonable price is practically un- 

 limited, and in low-rented rural districts the returns are satis- 

 factory. The capital outlay is by no means great; less, in 

 fact, than that involved in many other "special" cultures. 

 In France and Germany asparagus is grown very largely by 

 small holders. 



Varieties. — As a rule, no great importance is attached to 

 different varieties of asparagus. Growers on a large scale 

 commonly sow seed from their own plants, and no question 

 of new seed or new varieties arises. This seems largely due 

 to the fact that sharp distinctions cannot be made between 

 the different varieties of asparagus ; they are not many in 

 number, and the results obtained from any one of them 

 depend largely on liberal manuring, good cultivation, and 

 suitable protection from insect pests and diseases. Among 

 the most popular varieties are Connover's Colossal, Argen- 

 teuil (Early Giant and Early Giant French), and Palmetto. 



Soil Requirements. — The Evesham soils which are devoted 

 to this crop range on the heavy side, from medium loams to 

 true clays. It is said that any soil may be successfully adapted 

 to asparagus culture, providing it is properly cultivated ; but 

 preference may well be given to a deep sandy loam. Com- 

 paratively heavy and too retentive soils should be lightened 

 and improved by incorporating with them liberal dressings 

 of lime, the ashes of burnt rubbish, road grit, etc. 



The soils on which asparagus is grown in many parts of 

 France, in the Department of Yonne for example, are very 

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



