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ASPARAGUS 
(Asparagus officinalis). 
CULTURE (for Exhibition Purposes).— 
To raise plants for transplanting, seed mag be sown 
in drills one foot apart and an inch deep, early in 
April, covering with fine soil. Every fifth row may be 
omitted for convenience in cleaning. The seeds should be 
placed two inches apart, and all allowed to grow until early 
in June, when, or before, they will be in what may be termed 
second feather. Then is the time to mark the plants. 
Some will have a strong first feather, and a second 
growth coming; this is the one required. Others will 
have weaker and more numerous feathers, which should 
be grubbed out with a hand fork, leaving those that have 
single feathers as near six inches apart as possible. The 
exact distance is immaterial ; the chief thing is to get the 
plants of the character indicated above, as the plants are to 
remain a year only before transplanting. The first feather is 
to be cut away in favour of the second when the latter overtops 
it, or when it is well advanced in growth, and this second shoot 
is to be shown every favour through the season, cutting away 
all others coming after early July, but if there arise another 
stronger shoot by. say Midsummer day, select it and cut away 
the second. In fact, save the best of the shoots appearing by 
or before Midsummer, and cut all others away right through 
the season, as any coming after that have no chance of forming 
well-ripened buds. If a stronger shoot comes later, save both. 
This is the treatment advised for the seedlings in the first year 
to obtain plants with strong single crowns for transplanting 
the following spring, into a permanently prepared bed of deep, 
light, friable soil, well trenched and mixed with decayed 
manure. It is not advisable to cut during the first year, ana 
but very sparingly the second, and should never be prolonged 
after Midsummer, or the plant will be injured. 
Per oz. — 8. d. 
0 6 
CO.N'NOVIilt’s COLOSSAL ASPARAGUS. 
Connover’s Colossal 
Giant •• 
For plants, see page 55. 
0 6 
BEET (Beta vulgaris). 
CULTURE. — Sow the middle oj April, on ground that has been 
deeply dug and well manured the previous year. At the time of sowing 
the ground should be again deeply dug and the seeds sown in rows a 
foot apart. It may be sown in drills drawn by a hoe , or by dibbling a 
few seeds in holes an inch deep and a foot apart in the rows ; thin out , 
when the plants are about 2 inches high , to a foot apart where in drills, 
and where dibbled in holes draw out all except one. When lifting the 
roots , in October or November, great care must be taken not to bruise 
them or cut of any small shoots or out growths or the colouring will 
be gone. 
( 
cell’s crimson beet. 
