KELLY GARDENS, SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 
11 
ASPARAGUS 
The grower finds this vegetable about 
the first one that always finds ready sale 
at profitable prices, and the earliest income 
of his "out-in-the-open" crops. In addition 
it is so easily harvested and prepared for 
market that indeed it is a most acceptable 
crop. No garden, whether it be for the 
market or the home, is really complete 
without a bed of good roots. To the truck 
farmer who is looking for a money-maker 
crop that will fit well into his large areas of 
crop production, he will find nothing better. 
CUIiTUBE — Perhaps no other vegetable 
plant of so much importance adapts and ac- 
commodates Itself to any and all conditions 
of soil and climate. It really succeeds any- 
where, but the better the conditions the better 
the crop. We ordinarily advise to select a lo- 
cation to one side or one end of the garden, 
because, like any permanent crop, it may be 
out of our way in other garden operations. 
Mark out the lines or rows, preferably north 
and south, four feet apart, and plow out the 
line, going at least twice, to make a furrow 
trench six to eight inches deep. Stretch a 
line in bottom of furrow, marked with color- 
ed twine every 20 inches to two feet, and set 
plant at each mark, spreading out the roots 
carefully, covering the roots three or four in- 
ches deep with nice, moist soil and covering 
note this carefully) the "crown" only one 
inch deep. When set the crown should be four 
to five inches below the original and level sur- 
face of the field. As the tiny shoots appear 
work m the loose soil to the furrow gradually 
until by early fall the field is level. A row or 
two of most any vegetable can be grown be- 
tween the rows the first and second seasons, 
which will at least pay all expenses upon the non-mcome asparagus crop The third 
year thereafter cutting can begin and the season lengthened for cuut'ting as the 
plants become more aged. A bed set is good for 20 years at least. 
In the fall, when the tops are matured (yellow), mow and burn. The asparagus 
is a gross feeder and can utilize any kind of manure. Early in the spring loosen the 
whole surface with a cultivator or other suitable tool, but remember the crown is 
only four or five inches below the surface. If the crown or bud is destroyed, the roots 
are valueless. 
The culture for the kitchen is substantially the same, only that the plants 
may be set 15 to 18 Inches apart each way; however, by close planting the life of 
the bed is shortened. Our best authorities differ slightly as to the best age of plants 
for setting, being about equally divided between the one and two-year-old plants Pos- 
sibly the majority favor the one-year-old for large plantations, while two-year-old 
are recommended where land is comparatively expensive and for smaller fields of from 
one to two acres. A three-year-old plant will be found satisfactory in the kitchen 
garden, or "filling in" where plants have occasionally missed. 
WHEN TO PLANT— Set plants in March, April, May, September, October 
or November, 5000 to 6000 plants per acre; SO to lOO plants for home garden. 
2 — PALMETTO — The best acquisition to our comparatively few .varieties. 
It is less subject to rust and insect enemies than any of the older varieties. 
3 — ARGENTEUIL — This comparatively new variety is becoming very popular. 
It has much to recommend it, coming as it docs from the greatest asparagus 
growing section of the world, near Paris, France. 
Prices Asparagus Roots — 
1 year: Doz., 25c; 25, 40c; SO, 75c; 100, $1.00; 1000, $6.00. 
2 year; Doz., 40c; 25, 50c; 50, 85c; 100, $1.50; 1000, $10.00. 
3 year: Doz., 50c; 25, $1.00; SO, $1.50; 100, $2.25; 1000, $1,5.00. 
SEND US YOUR ORDER NOW, WILL DELIVER AS DIRECTED OR 
WHEN EACH VARIETY IS SEASONABLE. 
