September ", 1906 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
6'j3 
VEGETABLES 
ALL THE YEAR ROUND. 
ABOUT ASPARAGUS. 
Owners and occupiers of gardens would like 
to have a supply of vegetables from January 
to December; but the majority, though 
favourably placed as regards land, do not 
attempt to grow more than a few summer vege¬ 
tables and some winter greens, simply be¬ 
cause they believe that, being amateurs, they 
would fail if they made the attempt to obtain 
an all-the-year-round supply. 
I can assure all such persons that it is a 
fact success will follow their efforts if .the 
following hints are faithfully carried out. 
The instructions will be simple and concise, 
so that everyone can understand them. 
Vegetable culture is a most healthy occu¬ 
pation, interesting and instructive to the 
worker, and not the dull, wearying labour that 
a few persons would have us believe it to be. 
Moreover, it is one of the most profitable pas¬ 
times that anyone can engage in. New and 
improved varieties are being placed on the 
market every year. The choicest should be 
grown, as they do not entail any more labour 
than the inferior sorts, while the results are 
far more satisfactory. 
ASPARAGUS. 
This grand vegetable is far more widely 
grown now than it was a few years ago. In¬ 
experienced amateur gardeners were im¬ 
pressed with the idea that the initial ex¬ 
pense which was necessary to form the beds 
and the doubtful results precluded them from' 
making a start to grow the plants. Happily, 
many old-fashioned ideas respecting this crop 
have been exploded, and doubt in the hearts 
of thousands is no more. 
Seed of Asparagus at Proper Depth to 
Sow. 
The Best Situation for the Crop.— Un¬ 
doubtedly one which is fully exposed to the 
sun all day should be chosen, but at the same 
time the condition of the ground must be 
taken into consideration, as the drier the sub¬ 
soil is the better will the plants succeed. 
Where fruit and other kinds of trees over¬ 
shadow the ground the plants grow weakly, 
and do not give such a profitable return as 
when they have an open space to grow in. 
Raising the Plants from Seeds _For 
amateurs this is the best way to commence 
Asparagus culture. A longer time must 
elapse before the grower is enabled to gather 
a crop, but it is more sure than the plan of 
putting in plants. 
A light, sandy loam is the best to grow this 
plant in, and if the subsoil is a naturally dry 
one artificial drainage is not necessary ; but 
where clayey, retentive soils obtain, thorough 
drainage must be provided. A simple way 
of draining a piece of wet land is to open out 
trenches 2 ft. deep and 9 ft. apart, put in 
broken bricks, clinkers, or cinders to' a depth 
of 9 in., and connect these drains to a pipe 
drain laid at the lowest end of the bed. 
Furthermore, the surface should be cut up 
into beds 4 ft. 6 in. wide, with alleys between 
2 ft, wide. Each bed will contain four rows 
of plants and 1 ft, asunder ; but where the 
soil is very light I favour a level surface, 
and more especially if the ground slopes, too. 
Drills may be formed 1 ft. apart, and 2-ft. 
spaces left between when this plan is adopted. 
Plant of Asparagus, Showing Proper Depth 
to Plant. 
Preparing the Ground. Early in the 
autumn the soil should be trenched at least 
2 ft. deep, always bearing in mind to keep 
the cold subsoil in the bottom, and leaving 
the surface as rough as possible. Mix plenty 
of well-decayed manure with heavy soil at 
the time of trenching in the autumn, and one 
peck of salt per square rod of ground ; the 
salt may be scattered on the surface, but 
leave the manuring until the spring in the 
case of light loam. 
Early in the new year, directly the ground 
is in a fit condition, once more deeply dig 
it and add more decayed manure and salt, 
but only half the quantity of the latter at this 
season. Leave the surface rough if it is light 
soil, but break it up if clayey. 
Sowing toe Seeds. —In light ground sow 
the seeds towards the end of February, in 
heavy loam wait until the end of March. 
Fork over the surface thoroughly, then draw 
out drills 1 ft. apart and a little more than 
1 in. deep. Drop the seed 3 in. apart in the 
drills, and immediately cover with fine soil. 
Give frequent supplies of water through a 
fine-rosed watering-can if the weather is dry, 
and shade the ground with spreading branches 
of trees until the young seedlings appear. 
Keep the beds free from weeds, but hand- 
weed at first until the young plants can be 
clearly seen in the rows, then hoeing will be 
essential and advantageous. After one win¬ 
ter has passed over the plants, thin out the 
latter to 9 in. apart. 
Young Plants —Put in two-year-old plants 
in drills, 1 ft. apart and 9 in. asunder in the 
drills, about the 1st of April. Plant with 
a trowel, spreading out the roots carefully on 
all sides, and bury the crowns 1 in. below the 
surface. Pay the same attention to the plants 
as you would to seeds as regards watering, 
feeding, and cleaning. 
Summer Treatment —Young seedlings 
should not be watered with very strong liquid 
manure ; the latter should be given once a 
fortnight from June to September, and a 
sprinkling of salt during that period once a 
month—apply sufficient to just whiten the 
surface. This treatment and keeping the 
ground clean is all that is needed. When 
the stalks are ripe, they must be cut down ; 
this condition will obtain towards the end of 
October. 
Winter Treatment.— Having cleared the 
beds of all stems and weeds, put on a good 
dressing of decayed manure ; turn over the 
soil in the alleys, at the same time making 
the edges of the beds neat with a spade. 
In the spring rake off the roughest part of 
the manure into the alleys, put on more rotted 
manure, and one peck of salt to a square rod. 
Very lightly fork in the manure on the beds, 
and also bury the .other in the alleys. 
Insect Pests -The Asparagus plant is not 
often injured by insects, but the Asparagus 
beetle (Crioceris Asparagi) sometimes is 
troublesome. The eggs are deposited on the 
stems. The larva is of a slate colour, and 
does much harm while in this state. As soon 
as the larva is mature it buries itself in the 
soil, and in less than a month’s time appears 
in beetle form. Examine the plants closely, 
and, when the larva is found, place news¬ 
papers under the plants and vigorously shake 
the insect on to the paper. In this way, and 
by burning the matured growth and weeds, 
if any, in the autumn the pest may be got 
rid of. 
Varieties —Mammoth Emperor, Connover’s 
Colossal, Giant Early Purple Argenteuil, 
and Late Argenteuil. 
In Season. —Commence cutting, froimseeds, 
the third season ; from plants, the second 
year. The “ grass ” may be used from April 
to the end of June. G. 
SWEET PEAS. 
They breathed and sapped the summer air 
With fragrance passing sweet ; 
And filled the rushing carriages, 
The rich and poor to greet. 
Their colours were of dazzling hues 
In brightest glare of day ; 
Their perfume rose with twilight dews, 
Those Sweet Peas of Marks Tey. 
Oh ! I can ne’er forget those Peas, 
And that sweet close of day ; 
They lifted me from weariness, 
And cheered me on my way. 
They sent a glow of such delight 
That flowers alone convey, 
Their mem’ry stays through darkest days, 
Those Sweet Peas of Marks Tey. 
H. C. P. 
4*4 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4-4 4 - 4 - 4 . 
WEEKLY PRIZE COMPETITION. 
- RESULT - : 
The prize in the Readers’ Competition was > 
awarded to “ J. Hughes” for his article * 
on “ Hybridising,” p. 679. ’ 
A prize for . a supplementary reply was > 
awarded to “ Wm. Taylor” for his article on > 
“ Mildew on Roses ; ” and another to “ J. C.” J 
for an article on “ Apples Unhealthy,” > 
p. 680. ► 
