904 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 31, 1903. 
WORK OF THE WEEK. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Asparagus. — Unquestionably Asparagus forms one of the 
most important vegetables cultivated in the kitchen garden, 
especially among the more wealthy, as when means are pro¬ 
vided it can be forced most easily and had in good condition 
from November until the time it is ready for pulling outside 
and after that till July. I have long advocated planting 
Asparagus much more extensively in small gardens, especially 
among amateurs and cottagers. Few things are more re¬ 
munerative or appreciated, and how much better it is when 
one can cut' it fresh every day during the growing season com¬ 
pared with that which has been cut some time and exposed in 
the greengrocer’s window. Somehow or another many are 
under the impression that elaborate preparations have- to be 
made, and after that one would have toi wait several years 
before any returns can be expected. This is a most erroneous 
idea., as the most simple methods, if properly carried out., will 
produce the best results, and especially so on most lands; and 
when one takes into consideration the length of time these 
continue to yield good crops year after year (for instance, I 
have known beds which have been in use for fifty years, and 
the produce was excellent) it is surely worth a little trouble 
and patience. 
Though good heads may be cut when the beds are arranged 
in a, somewhat shady position, unquestionably the best results 
follow when these can be made in an open position of the 
garden, and now is a capital time to choose the site and make 
the necessary precautions for planting in the spring; and here 
it would be well to' mention that nothing starts and grows away 
more freely when moved at tire proper time, and this should 
be just a® growth commences 1 , carrying out the work of trans¬ 
planting smartly and expeditiously. I have never known this 
to do satisfactorily when planted into permanent beds, either 
in autumn or winter. One of the most important details in 
successful Asparagtfs culture' is to see that the land is well 
drained, and when this is the case either from a natural or 
artificial point of view, and the soil is of a. porous nature, the 
greatest success may be achieved by growing it. on the flat; 
but. on cold, retentive soil- the old-fashioned method of raising 
the beds somewhat above the natural level is to be recom¬ 
mended. 
In preparing the ground at this: -season the width of the beds 
should be determined and sufficient space for the alleys left 
between each bed, and this should apply to' those grown on 
the level or on raised positions. The ground should be deeply 
trenched, at the same time working in a thorough good dress¬ 
ing of farmyard manure, and in the case of that which is of a 
stiff nature plenty of road scrapings and old mortar rubble 
should be incorporated. The whole should be left- in a rough 
and lumpy condition till spring, when little else will be re¬ 
quired except to- procure! and carefully plant. Beds of a suit¬ 
able width are 4 ft. across, and the alleys between 18 in. Stout 
oak posts about 3 in. square should be placed on father side of 
the alley, so' that the beds can always easily be determined. 
Permanent Beds —The old growths should now be cut off 
clean to the- ground, and a pair of garden hedge shears is: the 
best tool for the purpose. The beds should be thoroughly 
cleared of weeds, and on the first favourable opportunity for 
wheeling the beds should have a thorough coating of half- 
decayed 0 farmyard manure, and this, in turn, should be: just 
covered with some soil taken, from the alleys. Perform in a, 
neat and workmanlike manner, so that a pleasing appearance 
is assumed all through the winter. 
Forcing,—As before stated, very little trouble' is incurred 
to- produce this in good condition next month, and it v ill start 
away freely either in the forcing house®, or in heated pits, 
providing a mild bottom heat is given it. The crowns should 
be covered to the depth of 2| in. with fine soil.. Give a- thorough 
soaking in and syringe twice daily with tepid water, and to 
ensure an unbroken supply fresh roots should be introduced 
about every three weeks. 
Owing to the incessant rains much work is sadly in arrears 
and no time should be lost in seizing the first opportunity of 
making this good as far as possible, for in many parts of the 
country it, has been quite out of the question to- attempt any¬ 
thing on stiff land. 
Snails and Slugs.—Never do I remember such ravages 
c one by these troublesome pests, the ground in some places 
being literally .swarmed with them, and unless stringent meu^ 
,iie taken to cope with them many of the winter crops, such as 
Spinach, Lettuce, and Cabbage, will be ruined. I have found 
nothing to equal plenty of finely-sifted cinder-ashes, which I 
have' over and ever again advocated, as they dislike crawling 
over this, and soot and lime are practically worthless during 
showery weather. ‘ E. Beckett. = 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Calceolarias.— The plants' should by now be fit for shifting 
into 1 5 in. pots, in which they will pass the winter. Late 
batches, or those plants that do not appear strong, will be 
better if kept in a smaller pot and shifting them on in January 
into 6 in. or I in. pots. A shelf near the roof-glass in the green¬ 
house or pit will answer for the plants during winter. So long 
as actual frost is excluded from the structure they cannot be 
kept too cool, and none but disappointing results will follow 
if subjected to much fire-heat or a stagnant atmosphere. The 
genus is an extensivei one, and this, one in particular is liable 
to attacks of greenfly; by fumigating slightly before thev 
become numerous the insects are easily kept, iu check and 
eradicated, thus keeping the plants healthy. 
Lachenalias. — These beautiful bulbous plants from the 
Cape are worthy of extended cultivation by all owners of 
glasshouses. To be seen to- full advantage they should be 
arranged in a mass when in flower. Cool treatment through- 
out is essential; if the plants are: still in cold frames they 
should be removed to a light shelf in the greenhouse. When 
the: leaves are 2 in. or 3 in. high, commence feeding with guano 
and liquid sheep-manure applied alternately. The same struc¬ 
ture advised for the herbaceous Calceolarias in winter will 
answer admirably for these. 
Gardenias.—-Abundance of heat and moisture at the roots 
and overhead are essential to success in the cultivation of 
Gardenias. For flowering in the winter months strong, half- 
ripened shoots should be struck early in spring, and tlie plants 
grown on freely throughout tlxe summer. Less heat- and mois¬ 
ture and more air should be accorded for a few weeks in 
autumn to- ripen the wood before full flowering commences; 
such plants will give large quantities of good flowers over a 
great part of the winter. Two methods may be- adopted of 
growing the plants—namely, by retaining in pots, of course 
giving them the necessary amount of root-room as required, 
and by growing in small pots and then- planting out in confined 
borders. The convenience at command must rule which 
method is best suited for individual cases'. Given, unlimited 
and suitable structures, a succession of these fragrant and 
much-appreciated flowers 1 may be bad for several months of 
the year, but without this the results will not be good. When 
grown throughout in pot®', the plants are readily cleansed from 
insects that are known to infest them, viz., mealy-bug and 
scale. These pests may be extirpated by occasional syringing®, 
with force, of petroleum, using a wineglass to the gallon of tepid 
rain-water. If plants that are now showing blossom can be 
plunged in, a bed of leaves and stable manure, that has been 
well turned beforeband, in a, light house, the results will amply 
repay the extra trouble. 
Arranging Plants -—To ensure all kinds of plants grown in, 
pot® remaining sturdy and healthy, it is essential that over-, 
