10 
The Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners. 
Asparagus. 
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 
transmitting or such as does not retain au excess of latent moisture. In view of this a 
good drained quarter is best for it, and that on 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 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 thorn, and if it can be made upon a firm bottom, and where it can bo kept well manure- 
watered, so much the better, bow 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. 
y°uug plants may be planted during March and the first w’eek in April, either upon 
beds which have been formed some four feet wide, having alleys of two feet in width between, 
p lo _ f • +rn _ nl ,. 0 , or Vi 3 ™ ws fron J three to feet apart across the whole piece, but not less than the former. 
5 ^ i, h nninnlft a tl dnll -r w . *ud 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. 
‘ , 1 ’ 1 Autumn, as soon as the stems turn quite yellow, cut them off below and remove them, well hoeing the ground and raking 
a ] ltte [ ? ff ? eat b’- J ? DU . ary of 5" 6 follovn,J g 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. 
Asparagus (True Giant) - ner lTX.'^O 
» Connover’s Colossal. A very large variety ... ... ... 1 6s 0 
® ^ ^ (Argenteuil). As grown by the celebrated French growers for Paris Market; 
EARLY GIANT PURPLE. 
d. 
4 
G 
robust variety of the most delicious flavour 
per lb. 7s. 0 8 
Borecole or Kale. 
Cultivation, see Cabbage. 
per pkt. 
DANIELS’ DWARF EXQUI- 
SITE. A dwarf compact-growing variety, 
leaves exquisitely curled and fringed, most 
valuable for garnishing, it is also well 
adapted for culinary purposes, presenting a 
pleasing appearance when cooked "... 0 6 
DANIELS’ MOSS CURLED. 
Of medium height, very hardy, with foliage 
beautifully curled ... ... ... 0 6 
Cottagers’. Exceedingly hardy ... ... 0 3 
Dwarf Green Curled. Very hardy, dwarf- 
stemmed, flavour very mild, colour dark 
green when cooked, the best for general crop — 
Tall Green Curled. The Tall Scotch Kale — 
Variegated or Garnishing. A fine curled- 
leaved variety, beautifully variegated, very 
useful and ornamental for garnishing, also 
valuable for Winter gardening ... ... 0 4 
per oz. 
s. d. 
1 6 
1 6 
0 8 
0 6 
0 6 
I may mention that I was again very successful during the past 
season with Seeds, &c., supplied by your firm, winning 18 Prizes at 
Axmmster District Show, 13 at Shuts and District Show, and t at 
the Devon and Exeter Summer Show,— in all 35 Prizes.’’— Mr S E 
ENTICOTT, Shute. 
Couve Tronchuda, or Portugal Cabbage. 
Per packet 4d., per ounce Is. 
