ASPARAGUS CULTURE. 
437 
and around London it is used largely for decorations at harvest 
festivals, &c. 
Asparagus as a vegetable is justly held in the highest esteem, 
possessing as it does many qualities not belonging to any other 
vegetable in our gardens. It has been extensively grown for 
very many years in England and other parts of the world. It is 
said by some writers to have been grown by the Komans at a 
very early date, previous to the Christian era, and others tell me 
that Pliny mentions it in his Historia Naturalis. By old writers 
on gardening it was known as Sperage, and by London people, 
or, at least, by London dealers, it is now known and spoken of 
as " Grass." It possesses properties said to be very beneficial 
in kidney diseases and the like complaints, and its use is often 
ordered by medical men. As to the manner of cooking, that I 
must leave in abler hands than mine, with this one remark, if 
you wish to have its full flavour and delicious softness, always 
have it fresh and bright, and not what gardeners call cankery. 
French and Spanish growers send it very largely to our 
markets, but the quality of foreign grass is not comparable to our 
own home-grown, although in the matter of size both the French 
and Spanish produce it much larger than we can. The home- 
grown, however, possesses much more succulent and tender 
qualities than that which is imported, which is considered by 
consumers tough and strong. I quite agree with many writers on 
this vegetable, that we British growers allow far too much of 
the foreign Asparagus to be sent into this country to supply our 
markets ; for with proper care and cultivation we can grow it, if 
not so large, yet, as I said just now, much better in quality, and 
the quantity could hardly be overdone if grown at a reasonable 
price, as I am convinced it could be, at least for the London 
and great provincial markets. 
One great advantage which Asparagus possesses over many 
other vegetables is, that its carriage is comparatively light and 
easy, its compactness making it capable of transmission by railway 
at no great expense, so that I may say, without fear of contra- 
diction, that it can be grown profitably in England if soil, 
condition, energy, and capital are studied. It is already grown 
largely in Cambridgeshire and in Worcestershire, about Eveshsbm 
and the surrounding districts of Offenham (I believe the late 
Mr. James Myatt introduced it in the last-named locality). It is 
