394 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
port roots of this plant from the borders of the 
Euphrates, where it grows to an extraordinary 
thickness. Pliny states that Asparagus, which 
formerly grew wild, was in his time carefully 
cultivated in gardens, particularly at Ravenna, 
where it was grown so fair and large that three 
shoots would weigh a pound. It is naturalized 
in America, near the coast, most probably from 
seeds which have escaped from garden plants.” 
The plant consists of a cluster of fleshy roots 
springing from the base of the stem, where a 
quantity of buds are formed, from which shoots 
annually push, and these in their young and 
tender state form the edible part (fig. 1150). 
Fig. 1150.—Asparagus—Giant Dutch Purple. 
The shoots, which are annual, attain a height 
of from 3 to 6 feet and bear numerous branches, 
clothed with small, linear, bright-green leaves. 
The flowers are small, star-shaped, and white, 
and the fruits are pea-like berries coloured 
bright red. Differences of soil, climate, situation, 
and cultivation have resulted in several recog¬ 
nizable variations, and it is probable also that 
seedling sports have been fixed. Accordingly 
there are numerous named sorts, the name 
usually indicating the district where the variety 
originated. The colour of the young stems 
depends greatly on the nature and texture of 
the soil; and with regard to size we may men¬ 
tion that in one part of Mr. Grayson’s extensive 
plantations on the south side of the Thames the 
so-called Giant variety was produced, and in 
another part the common sort; but when both 
were made to change places, the common ac¬ 
quired the dimensions of the Giant, whilst the 
latter diminished to the ordinary size. 
Propagation ,—Asparagus seeds may either be 
soAvn broadcast on prepared ground, and the 
plants thinned out, or in drills in nursery-beds, 
where the plants can remain for one or two 
years before being finally planted out. The 
soil for the nursery-bed should be light, rich, 
and sandy. The seeds should be sown in drills 
half an inch deep in October, or in March or 
April. The seedlings should be thinned when 
they are 2 inches high. 
Soil and Situation .—A rich sandy alluvial soil, 
impregnated with saline matters, is naturally 
best adapted for the growth of Asparagus, and 
in such soil its cultivation is an easy matter. 
Soils of a different texture may be made rich 
enough with manure; but whilst the soil retains 
too great a degree of stiffness, the results of 
cultivation will not prove satisfactory, nor will 
the produce bear comparison with that from 
soil naturally well adapted for the growth of 
the plant. The large Asparagus from Argen- 
teuil is chiefly grown on a sandy loam, and by 
a peculiar mode of culture, which will be pre¬ 
sently described, and the cultivators think that 
on soil of this character the shoots attain a 
greater size than on very light sandy ground, 
but are produced on the latter more abundantly. 
The situation for Asparagus should be open 
to the sun, and sheltered from strong winds. 
Preparation of the Beds .—The effectual drain¬ 
age of the soil should be the first consideration; 
for although the plant grows naturally in salt 
marshes, and therefore cannot be said to dis¬ 
like moisture, yet moisture, to be beneficial, 
must be accompanied with heat. If cold rains 
occur in spring, after the beds are warmed by 
the sun and are in full cutting, growth and 
production will be arrested; but warm rains 
later in the season are, on the contrary, favour¬ 
able in both respects. The plant requires 
Avarmth in the soil, and undrained soil retains 
the coldness of winter. 
The ground should therefore be drained, 
trenched, or made good to the depth of 3 feet, 
and a large quantity of manure introduced; 
also, near the top, such materials as the scour- 
ings of ponds or ditches, sea-Aveed, decayed 
leaves or leaf-mould, turfy peat, charred soil, 
decayed hot-bed dung, all of which are excel¬ 
lent. Heavy crops of Asparagus are groAvn 
Avhere the bottom is a yelloAv, rather heavy 
loam, and the top has been made light from 
long working and plentiful manuring. In 
trenching for Asparagus, the heavy subsoil is 
neither turned up nor mixed Avith the upper 
soil, as might be advisable for some crops; on 
