ON FARM GARDENING. 
31 
else thoroughly chilled by ice before starting. Other- 
wise, it will heat and spoil. The usual asparagu- 
bunch is just about 
the size of a dry- 
measure quart in 
diameter, and from 
6 to 9 inches in 
length. In fact, a 
quart cup or tin 
fruit can is fre- 
quently used in 
shaping the bunch. 
Home-made wood- 
en bunchers are 
also in common use. 
The Acme aspara- Acme Asparagus Buncher, with Knife Guard. 
gus buncher is the 
best, coming in two sizes. The asparagus is tied in two 
places with raphia or soft string, and thus makes a neat and 
attractive package. The butts are cut off square with a 
knife after the bunch is finished, and in this shape asparagus 
will remain fresh for a long time, if kept standing in shallow 
water. 
In tying up the bunches the shoots are separated into two 
or three sizes. The small shoots are quite as good for food 
as the larger ones, but the latter always bring more money 
in market, which warrants the additional trouble involved. 
Salt. — Salt is frequently used on asparagus beds, but not 
always. Salt is sometimes an indirect fertilizer, acting upon 
fertility already in the soil, and having a distinct tendency to 
attract and hold moisture, but it has no direct fertilizing in- 
fluence. It has a beneficial effect in helping: to check the 
growth of weeds. 
Fertilizers. — Kainit is an excellent thing for aspara- 
