ASPARAGUS 
As Asparagus seed germinates very slowly, it is advisable to pour hot water 
over it. When cool, pour off the water and treat it again with hot water. Sow 
seed quite early in spring, in a bed of light, rich, well-manured soil, in drills 
one foot apart and two inches deep. When the plants are well up, thin to 
about one inch apart. When the plants become withered, cut them down, and 
spread well-rotted stable manure two inches deep over the bed. Let the plants 
remain in the seedbed until they are about to grow early in spring. The sub¬ 
soil of the permanent bed should be dry, and if not so, it must be well drained. 
It should be dug thoroughly at least two and a half feet deep, and mixed with 
plenty of well rotted manure. For private garden use set the plants in rows 
two feet apart, and about a foot apart in the row, with crowns four inches below 
the surface, and spread the roots. For field culture the rows should be six feet 
apart and two feet apart in the rows. Cultivate frequently and thoroughly each 
season as long as the size of the plants will permit. Before winter cover the 
transplanted beds with about four inches of manure, and fork it in the next 
spring, being careful not to injure the roots, A top-dressing of one pound ot 
salt to the square yard before growth commences will prove valuable and keep 
down weeds. In autumn, cut the ripe tops and burn the refuse. One pound of 
good , fresh seed will produce plants sufficient lor an acre, and ounce of seed will 
sow a drill fifty feet long. 
By purchasing plants at least a year of time is saved. The young shoots may 
be cut for the table the second season. A bed 8 x 27 feet, requiring 100 plants 
will supply an ordinary family. 
VicK’s Mammoth 
This superior variety was 
introduced by us a few year s 
ago. It has already become very popular, commanding the highest price in 
all markets where it is known. It is, without exception, the largest and best 
Asparagus grown. A bunch of twelve stalks will weigh three to four pounds. 
In size, color, and yield, it far surpasses any other variety, while it is less 
susceptible to disease. The delicacy of its color notably distinguishes it from 
other green varieties, while its thick stalks are unusually tender and succulent 
and of delicious flavor. Packet, 5 cents ; oz., 10 cents ; ]/ A lb., 30 cents • 
lb., $1.00. 
Strong Two Yrar Roots —100, by mail, prepaid, $1.50. By express or 
freight, not prepaid, per 100, $1.00; per 1000, $6.00. 
Palmetto, of Southern origin, but equally adapted for North or South. 
Earlier than Conover's; large, productive, and of excellent quality. Packet, 
5 cents ; oz., 10 cents ; y K lb., 20 cents ; lb., 60 cents. 
Conover S Colossal* Theold standard variety; of large 
size, rapid growth, and of best quality. Ounce, 5 cents ; ]/ A lb., 15 cents ; 
lb., 50 cents. 
Strong Two-year Roots —100, by mail, prepaid, $1.50. By express 
or freight, not prepaid, per 100, 75 cents ; per 1000, $5.00. 
Columbian Mammoth White. A new variety, producing white 
stalks of large size and finest quality. Packet, 5 cents ; oz., 10 cents ; 
y lb., 25 cents ; lb., 75 cents. 
BROCCOLI 
Broccoli resembles the Cauliflower. Broccoli, however, is the more hardy, 
and in many sections of the country would not suffer in winter. It likes a 
cool, moist climate, and dislikes severe summer heat more than cold. For a 
fall crop, sow seed early in spring, in shallow drills three or four inches 
apart. When about four inches high plant out two feet each way, in rich 
soil. For early summer use many gardeners sow the seed about September 1st 
and transplant into coldframes the latter part of October. Early in April the 
plants may be transplanted into the open ground. Cultivate same as Cauli¬ 
flower. One ounce will produce 4,000 plants. 
Purple Cape. One of the hardiest and most popular varieties, and the 
most certain to form a good head; the earliest of the purple varieties. 
Packet, 10 cents; oz., 35 cents ; % lb., $1.00; lb., $3.50. 
White Cape. Heads medium size, compact, of a creamy white color, 
excellent flavor. Packet, 10 cents; oz., 35 cents; lb., $1.00; lb., $3.50. j 
ARTICHOKE 
The Globe Artichoke is very little grown in America. It is cultivated for 
its flower heads, which are used in an undeveloped state, cooked like Asparagus. 
Plant seed early in spring, three inches apart, in rows one foot apart. Cover 
with fine earth half an inch in depth. When one year old, transplant to rows 
three feet apart and one foot apart in the row, in deep, rich soil. Where 
the winters arc severe the plants must be thoroughly protected with leaves or 
dry litter, to keep the crowns from freezing. 
Green Globe. Seed, packet, 10 cents ; oz., 35 cents ; lb., $3.50. 
Jerusalem. See Farm Seeds. 
BRUSSELS SPROUTS 
Forms numbers of miniature cabbage heads, each being one or two inches in 
diameter, or about the size of a large walnut, on strong, erect stems, two to three 
feet high. In the fall break the leaves down and give the little heads room to 
grow, but the top of the stems should be left until after the sprouts are used. 
1 he sprouts are used as greens, and become tender and better flavored when 
touched by the frost. Sow seed in early spring and treat like winter Cabbage. 
One ounce will produce about 5,000 plants. 
Improved Dwarf. Packet, 5 cents ; oz., 25 cents ; lb., $2.50. 
BORECOLE or RALE 
The Kales are more hardy than Cabbage, and will endure considerable frost 
without injury; in fact, they are best when touched with frost. When cut 
frozen they should be immediately placed in cold water. They do not form 
heads like Cabbage, but produce an abundance of handsome, curly leaves, that 
are very ornamental and highly prized. The Kales are the most tender and 
delicate of any of the Cabbage tribe, and furnish abundant food for the cottagers 
of Europe, and when well grown and properly prepared, are good enough for 
anyone. Sow seed early in June, and transplant. Culture same as for Cab¬ 
bage. One ounce will sow 300 feet of dril. 
Packet, 5 cents ; oz., 10 cents ; lb., $1.00. 
Dwarf Green Curled Scotch. Dwarf, beautifully curled, and bright 
green ; hardy, and may be cut from the ground all the early part of winter. 
Dwarf Purple. Like Scotch Kale except in color, but more hardy. 
Tall Green Curled Scotch. Finely curled; very hardy; one of the best 
BORECOLE OR KALE 
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