28 
JOHNSON & STOKES 
acre, near Philadelphia, expressed in money, is, perhaps, 
$200 at this time. 
In selecting a situation for a bed, a 
warm spot should be chosen, having a 
deep and mellow soil, and with good 
natural or artificial drainage. A small 
area is better than a large one, as being 
more likely to receive sufficient manure; 
and it is desirable that the land should 
have been tilled for a year or two before 
the planting of the roots, and a heavy 
coat of manure incorporated with the 
soil — the more manure the better. 
Roots. — The roots are set in early 
spring, in deep trenches, 5 or 6 feet 
apart, made with a plow. If the plow 
be run both ways and the loose dirt 
shovelled out, it is quite easy to reach a 
depth of 15 or more inches. It is not 
material whether strong one-year-old roots or two-year-old 
roots be used. 
Varieties — As to varities, it is almost as much a matter 
of culture as of name; still, there are better and worse 
kinds. Asparagus varies in color from purple to green, 
and even to white. There are certain so-called mammoth 
sorts, whose shoots are larger, but less numerous than the 
old-fashioned kinds. There is a slight difference in flavor, 
also, but the preference of the local market must determine 
the farmer in making a choice of roots. If a green "grass" 
be preferred, that kind can be had from seedsmen; but, no 
Donald's Elmira 
Asparagus. — Donald's Elmira is one of the best for the North. 
Palmetto is the asparagus generally grown in the South. For descrip- 
tions, see "Johnson & Stokes' Garden and Farm Manual." 
