20 6 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
than to climatic influences. This crop has been grown 
successfully in all parts of the United States, regardless 
of diversified climatic conditions. 
271. Soils. — Asparagus is grown successfully on a great 
variety of soils. It is generally admitted, however, that 
the deep, rich, moist, sandy loams provide the best con- 
ditions, although alluvial soils are valued. In the large 
plantations of Orange County, Cal., peat mixed with 
sand has given excellent results. Shoots of enormous 
size are produced in this region. But whatever the tex- 
ture of the soil is, asparagus demands a liberal supply of 
humus, good drainage, also an abundant and constant 
supply of moisture. In a noted plantation of New Jer- 
sey the water table is only 3 feet from the surface. With 
this never-failing supply of water in co-operation with a 
rich sandy soil the results are highly satisfactory. Sandy 
soils are especially important for the growing of blanched 
asparagus, because it is very difficult to produce straight 
shoots and also troublesome to ridge and cut under ground 
in heavy, clay soils. Stones interfere seriously with the 
growth of the shoots, prevent thorough tillage, make 
ridging difficult and are especially annoying when cutting 
the shoots beneath the surface of the ground. Southern, 
southeastern and southwestern aspects are preferred by 
experienced growers, because they produce earlier crops 
than northern slopes. They also suffer less from drouth, 
and the soil is not transported as much by driving winds. 
272. Seed selection. — The most successful asparagus 
growers of the old world have for centuries practiced seed 
selection. The experts of several hundred years ago may 
have possessed limited knowledge of the laws of plant 
breeding, but they evidently realized the importance o{ 
careful selection, and knew enough to select seed that 
would produce spears of enormous size. In the United 
States the growers who far excel the average in net 
returns to the acre invariably use selected seed, which 
