ASPARAGUS 
tXJ 
T HE Asparagus is a hardy perennial, and one of the earliest spring 
vegetables. It is not, as many suppose, difficult to grow, for after 
a bed is once established no great skill is required to continue the same 
for years. A bed 8x27 feet, requiring 100 plants, will supply an 
ordinary family. 
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. I.et the plants remain in the 
seedbed until they are about to grow early in spring. The subsoil of 
the permanent bed should be dry, and if not naturally 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. From the time the plants are well started give 
frequent and thorough cultivation each reason 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. As salt is an excellent manure for this plant,, 
a top-dressing of one pound to the square yard before growth com¬ 
mences will prove valuable and keep down weeds. In autumn, after 
the tops are fully ripe and yellow, cut them down and burn the refuse. 
One pound of good, fresh seed will produce plants sufficient for an 
acre, and one 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. 
VicK’s Mammoth 
This superior variety was intro¬ 
duced by us a few years 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 deli¬ 
cacy of its color notably distinguishes it from other green varieties, while its thick 
stalks are unusually tender and succulent, and of delicious flavor. y 2 ounce, 
5 cents; oz., 10 cents ; y lb.,30 cents; lb., $1.00. 
Strong Two Year Roots— 100, by mail, prepaid, $1.50. By express or 
freight, not prepaid, per 100, $1.00; per jooo, £6.00. 
Palmetto, of Southern origin, but equally adapted for North or South. 
Earlier than Conover's; large, productive, and of excellent quality, jounce,, 
5 cents ; oz., 10 cents ; % lb., 20 cents ; lb., 60 cents. 
ConOVCr S Colossal. The old standard variety; of large, 
size, rapid growth, and of best quality. Ounce, 5 cents; y 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. y 2 ounce, 5 cents; oz., xo cents; y lb., 
25 cents ; lb., 75 cents. 
ASPARAGUS, VICK’S MAMMOTH 
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 to give the little 
heads room to grow, but the top of the stem should be left until after the 
sprouts are used. The sprouts are used as greens, and become tender and 
better, flavored when touched by 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., 20 cents; lb., $2.00. 
2 
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 
are severe the plants must be thoroughly protected with leaves or dry litter, to keep, 
the crowns from freezing. 
Green Globe. Seed, packet, 5 cents ; oz., 30 cents ; lb., $3.00. 
Jerusalem. See Farm Seeds, page 40. 
