in the North-west of France. 
France, variations of temperature have little effect upon it. To 
obtain the best results and a delicate salad, it is necessary to 
purchase seed of the improved varieties, as the wild dandelion 
is coarse in comparison. 
Asparagus. — Argenteuil, as already stated, is the locality in 
France most celebrated for the growth of this succulent vege- 
table, but it is grown very largely near Amiens, Valery-sur- 
Somme, and many other places, on a gigantic scale. One 
grower wrote to me in 1878 asking if I could help him to 
dispose of 100 bundles per day during the season ! M. Godefroy- 
Lebeuf, who sells one-year-old plants to growers, had last year 
between 7 and 8 acres in seedlings at Argenteuil, and from him 
I have derived on the spot much of the information which is 
given below. 
Great care is taken in the selection of the seed. M. Godefroy- 
Lebeuf never uses any seed of his own growth, but he travels 
about the district at the period of flowering, and selects for 
purchase in the autumn the most vigorous female stems which 
he finds in close proximity to strong and healthy male stems, 
frequently paying as much as 5 or 6 francs for one female stem. 
Even with all this precaution it is not thought advisable to use 
all the seeds on the selected stem, but only those on the lower 
branches. The seeds are extracted by macerating the fruit in 
water, and they are generally kept two years before being 
sown. 
The land is prepared for sowing by ploughing it not more 
than 8 inches deep with a specially light iron two-wheel plough, 
the right wheel being smaller than the left. The seed is very 
carefully sown in lines 32 inches apart by women and children. 
The land between the rows is kept very clean by frequent har- 
rowings and hoeings. The period of sowing varies somewhat 
in different districts, March and April being preferred near 
Amiens, and the beginning of June at Argenteuil. 
Seedling plants thus raised are sold when one year old for 
planting out. If older plants are used the result is not so good. 
The plantation is made in April, in the following manner : — 
Trenches about 8 inches in depth and 4 feet apart are dug with 
a spade, but the land beneath is not disturbed, as it is better 
left solid. The earth from the trenches is piled on the lands 
between them. No manure is used. After pruning their roots, 
the young plants are placed a yard apart in the trenches, care 
being taken to spread out the root-fibres laterally. They are 
then slightly covered with earth, which is well trampled upon. 
A stake is driven into the ground to mark the position of each 
plant, and also to enable the young shoots to be tied to it, and 
thus prevent them from being broken by the wind. Care i& 
