i»5 
HINTS ON THE CULTIVATION OF ASPARAGUS. 
French — Asperge. German — Sparc, E l.. 
Strong Roui, showing spring 
growth. Muck reduced . 
Seedling Asparagus. _ _ 
Description.— One of the most delicious and highly-prized vegetables in cultivation, 
the edible portion of the plant being the young shoots which are cut as soon as they attain 
the length of about six inches. They are extremely succulent, and are said to possess 
many excellent diuretic properties. 
Varieties. — The original plant is a native of Great Britain, and is found growing wild on 
the seashore, and those in cultivation have been obtained by careful selection, one ol the best 
types being Carters’ Mammoth Emperor. 
Cultivation. — The best crops and finest shoots are obtained from plants grown in a 
deep, rich, and friable loam, but good results can be obtained on most soils by careful 
cultivation. Having decided to make a bed, trench the plot selected deeply in the autumn, 
adding plenty of good farmyard manure. In early spring break down the surface nicely, and 
plant the roots in rows on ridges a foot apart, allowing the plants 1 2 inches space in the rows, 
parting the roots so that they fall nicely on each side of the ridge, and taking care not to damage 
the roots more than can be helped. When the planting is completed, fill up the spaces between 
the ridges with rich soil to about three inches above the crown of the plants, then make it nim. 
Two-year old roots are best for planting, and they should not be cut from for at least two years. 
Roots for forcing can be supplied directly the top growth withers in autumn, but for planting 
a bed the roots should be obtained about the end of March or early in April. 
Propagation. — Seeds may be sown in drills in April, thin out and transplant when two 
years old. 
General Hints. — The cutting should finish early in June, and the growth then thrown 
up must be permitted to mature through summer. Copious supplies of water are necessary 
during summer so that the roots may be encouraged to become a; 
for producing thick heads for next year. 
Pests. — T he plants often suffer from the drepredations of a beetle which lives in 
summer growth and produces eggs and a grub as shown in the illustration. 1 hey should be 
picked off and destroyed. 
237, 238, & 97, High Holborn, London.— 1904. 
possible 
the 
