1 Man., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 163 
In Queensland, asparagus can be successfully grown in all the colder and 
medium warm districts, provided the soil is suitable, and either an abundant 
rainfall or a sufficient supply of water can be depended upon. About the 
profitable nature of the crop there is no question whatever, as the supply is 
very limited, and prices run from Gd. to 1s. 6d. per bunch. The best kind of 
soil is a sandy loam with plenty of saline matter in it; but almost any soil 
will do, if made loose and friable by deep cultivation, and enriched by abundant 
good manure. A deep sandy loam, if heavily manured, orarich brown alluvial, 
will suit asparagus admirably. In preparing the ground, it should be worked 
either by trenching or subsoiling to a depth of not less than 18 inches some 
months before planting, and heavily dressed with well-rotted manure; and a 
few weeks before planting, a good sprinkling of coarse salt should be applied, 
and worked in by the fork or cultivator. If the soil is stiff and clayey, a few 
loads of sharp sand spread over its and ploughed in will greatly improve it, and 
add considerably to the value of the crop. 
Asparagus may be grown from seed, but it is better to buy crowns one or 
two years old and plant them. Seedlings require tio be grown for three years 
before any crop can be cut from them. I should advise planting good strong 
crowns, which can be obtained at about 10s. per 100. June and July are the 
best months for planting, and at all events planting must be done before growth 
commences, which is in August and September. In planting asparagus on a 
large scale, it is best to plant in rows 5 feet apart, setting the plants 3 feet at 
least apart in the rows. For many reasons this system is much to be preferred 
to the old custom of making little beds. Before planting, open out a trench 
6 inches deep with the spade or plough. Set the plants with their roots in the 
bottom of the trench, so that the crowns will be 2 or 3 inches below the level of 
the soil. Cover them right over by filling in the trench half-way or more, and, 
as the plants grow, gradually fill in the rest of the soil until the surface becomes 
level. ‘This can be done gradually when hoeing and cultivating. Should the 
weather be dry, water must be given when the plants begin to grow, and the 
ground must be kept free from weeds. : 
During the first season none of the asparagus should be cut, the plants 
being encouraged to make as much growth as possible. A dressing of coarse 
salt or kainit at intervals of two or three months during the growing season 
will help the plants greatly. Sprinkle it over the surface of the soil, and then 
run the cultivator through the rows. {n winter the tops will wither and dry 
up, and they must then be cut off and removed, and the rows: forked or 
ploughed over, and a topdressing of manure applied to a depth of 8 or 4 inches 
over all the ground. In the spring this manure can be dug into the soil, and 
a good dressing of salt applied. The subsequent cultivation is the same as 
during the previous season, and if the asparagus bed is treated in this way 
every year, an abundant crop will be secured for many years. Asparagus 
properly planted in suitable soil, and accorded proper treatment, ought to last 
in full vigour for ten or twelve years. 
In September of the second season, cutting may be commenced, and can be 
continued uiitil the end of the summer ; but every shoot which comes up must 
not be cut—some must be allowed to grow to enable the plants to perform 
their natural functions. Should every shoot be cut as it comes up, the plants 
would eventually die from the complete check to all natural growth which 
would take place. The young tender shoots are the part of the plant used, 
and these are cut when 4 or 5 inches above the ground. In countries where 
asparagus is a staple garden crop, the shoots are blanched by placing drain- 
pipes or flower-pots or pieces of bamboo over them as they come up. They are 
cut when 6 or 8 inches long, and are then white and very tender. 
The requirements of asparagus, summed up briefly, are:—Loose friable 
soil, abundance of manure and water, and periodical dressings with salt or 
kainit. Superphosphate of lime may also be used occasionally with advantage, 
if it is desired to force a strong growth for any particular reason. ; 
