10 
The Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners 
Artichokes. 
per peck Is. 6d. 
. per <1 ca- 
per bush, 
per oz. 
Globe. Plants ... 
Jerusalem. Pine large tubers 
Green Globe. Seed 
Purple „ 
NEW WHITE MAMMOTH. White skinned Jerusalem 
Artichoke (see Coloured Plate and Novelties) per lb. Gd. ; per peck 
6 0 
Asparagus. 
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES. 
Cultivation. — This, one of the finest vegetables in creation, is a general 
favourite, and were its medicinal qualities fully known would, considering its easy 
culture, be more extensively grown, and the wonder is, why all who possess any 
form of garden, short of an allotment, do not grow it plentifully. Nor does the 
preparation, and subsequent support required by the bed exceed that of other crops, 
if, indeed, it is nearly so much, whilst the bulk of the produce, if taken account of, 
perhaps exceeds that of most kinds, and that of a quality we need not accord words 
of praise to here. We would most impressively urge our customers to make 
Asparagus the first and most important consideration in planting a kitchen garden. 
Asparagus likes a moderately consistent soil, and one both moisture absorbing and trans- 
mitting, or such as does not retain an excess of latent moisture. In view of this a good 
drained quarter is best for it, and that ou a site both open and sunny. To work the bed 
properly, it should be deeply trenched, adding manure of any green or coarse kind plentifully 
to the bottom of the trenches, and such as is more decomposed and shorter, near to the upper 
soil. If the bed becomes somewhat elevated in the operation, so much the better. Where a 
good subsoil exists, and the necessary labour referred to above cannot be afforded, even then, 
rather than have no Asparagus bed, we advise all to thoroughly manure and dig the site most 
approved, and make a plantation at once. Even so treated, it will afford much and fairly 
good useful produce. 
Asparagus plants are easily grown from seed. A rich nursery bed should be made for 
them, and if it can be made upon a firm bottom, and where it can be kept well manure- watered, 
so much the better. Sow the seeds in thin drill rows at from one to three feet apart, according 
to the desire that exists to grow very strong young plants. Thin the seedlings out well when 
they are up, and keep them free from weeds. Seeds may be sown to form plants permanently 
upon the beds whereon they' are to stand and grow. It is best, however, to plant one year old 
seedlings. 
The young plants may be planted during March and the first week in April, either upon 
beds which have been formed some four feet wide, having alleys of two feet in width between, or 
in rows from three to five feet apart across the whole piece, but not less than the former. 
Plant them in trenches or deep drill rows shovelled out, and somewhat thickly in the rows, 
covering them over with about three inches of soil. Always so manipulate the soil as to 
be able to spread the roots out straight all around. 
In the Autumn, as soon as the stems turn quite yellow, cut them off below and remove 
them, well hoeing the ground and raking all litter oil neatly. In January of the following 
year give a thorough good dressing of decayed manure, and a sprinkling of salt. With good 
cultivation till the plants are three years old, they are fit to cut from. Cut all the “ blades ” 
both large and small as they form. Cease cutting each year as soon as a fair supply has been 
obtained, as to do so proves a material guarantee for subsequent fine produce. 
Seed. 
per oz.— 8. d. 
Asparagus (True Giant) ... per lb. 4s. 0 4 
„ Connover’s Colossal. A very large 
variety ... ... ... per lb. 6s. 0 6 
EARLY GIANT PURPLE. As grown 
by the celebrated French growers for Paris Market; 
robust variety of the most delicious flavour per lb. 7s. 0 8 
Plants. 
We do not advocate the Autumn or Winter planting of 
this esculent, as we consider March the best time for planting 
in the open ground. The strong roots w'e offer will be found 
very fine for forcing. 
Connover’s Colossal. Two and three years old 
per 100, 5s. and 7s. 6d. 
True Giant. Two and three years old, per 100, 3s. 6d. & 5s. 
Extra strong roots for forcing ... per 100, 12s. 6d. and 15s. 
EVIDENCE 
“ I beg to state that for three years I have used your Seeds, and they 
have always come to perfection.”— Mr. E. COOTER, Kye. 
“The Vegetable Seeds I have purchased off you this last Twelve 
years have given every satisfaction.”— Mr. G. KNIGHT, Long Newton. 
“ I beg to say that I have had your Seeds for six years, and have not 
had one failure.”— Mr. H. DEAN, Wandsworth. 
“I did well with your Seeds last Summer, taking nine First Prizes 
and three Second; in fact top of the Show.”— Mr. E. BAYES, 
Harberton. 
“ I am very pleased to tell you that I took eighteen prizes with 
vegetables grown from your Seed at Burnt Ash Show.”— Mr. G. 
KNOTT, Lee. 
OF QUALITY. 
“ The Seeds I have had from you this last four years liave given every 
satisfaction.” — Mr. W. KNIGHT, Farnhoro’. 
“ The Seeds I had from you last year were of excellent quality, and 
gave greatest satisfaction.”- Mr. R. HORTLEY, Lofthouse. 
“The Seeds I had from vou last year were very good— the best I ever 
had.”- Mr. LIBBY, Polferro. 
“Your Seeds are the best I can get.”— Mr. E. CORK, Baldcrley. 
“ The Seeds I had from you last Spring turned out well, notwithstanding 
the dark wet Summer we had here in the north. I took fifty-two Prizes, 
mostly Firsts, at our Local Shows. Your Norfolk Giant Lonjg-pod 
Bean and Continuity Lettuce taking first wherever I showed them.”— 
Mr. J. BATEMAN, Iroby, Cumberland. 
