Mexico weekly ledger., 1893-03-16
GardGn,Farm and Field.
BY JOHN J. GILL.
Asparagus.

Asparagus is a delightful yege-
table in almost universal favor.
Besides its food it has also fine
medicinal qualities. 1t is always
in such demand as secures for it
ready sale at highly remunerative
prices. 1t is easily cultivated and a
bed of it ought to be in every gar
den. 1t is a native of England
where it is found neart the ocean and
OF that account is thought to re-
quire an annual dressing of salt.
An asparagus bed cannot be too
rich or too well drained. Aspara-
gus may be raised on any rich,
highly MANFRED and deep soil. 1t
is usually thought to be of several
varieties but the main difference in
its development is due to culture
and manure. On clayey soils it
will be best to dig a trench four
feet wide and two and a half feet
deep for a bed. This ought to be
filed with manure well mixed with
soil into which asparagus roots
ought to be set so their crown will
be ten inches below the surface of
the bed, about one foot apart, and
covered with about four inches of
soil from its sides. The depth at
which asparagus roots ought to be
set is important as they raise them
selves at least an inch annually.
When the shoots from the roots get
to be about four inches high draw
three inches more Of dirt around
them. Keep tie ground around
them well stirred and free of weeds
and when the plants are fifteen
inches above the surface draw the
remaining earth about them and
level off the bed. Salt scattered
over them will promote their growth
and keep out weeds. Every fall
after cutting down the stalks cover
the bed with a good coat of manure
and work it in the spring without
iniuring the plants. The most es-
teemed plants are Conover's Colossal.
These can be obtained of seed and
nursery men and are best set out in
the spring. Those DESTROYS of rails
Ing their own plants can do so in
the following manner: Sow seed
thinly in early spring in shallow
drills about twelve inches apart and
about one inch deep, hoe often and
keep clean. When two years old
they will be fit to transplant into
beds. To secure strong plants thin
on. to from four to six inches apart.
Never cut asparagus too closely as
its roots need some top for their
preservation.
RHUBARB. |
Rhubarb, generally known as pie
plant, makes delicious pies, tarts
and relishes and ought to be found
in every garden. 1t grows best in
a deep relentive and rich soil. The
richer its condition and the deeper
it is cultivated the better. Rhubarb
roots can be obtained from seed and
nursery men and can be set out in
either fall or spring about three feet
apart. Once planted they remain
for several years. If set out in the
spring on well prepared soil their
stalks may he cut the second year.
They require little attention beyond
being kept clear of weeds and COW
cred with coarse manure every fall.
Plants may be grown from seed
sown early in spring in drills twelve
inches apart. Transplant next year
into rows three feet apart. The
stalks ought not to be plucked until
the third year and the plant should
not be suffered to exhaust itself by
running TO seed. Myatt's Victoria
is the best variety.
HORSE RADIsH.
Horse radish is a fine appetizer
and much used in spring. 1t re-
quires a deep, rich soil and is
grown from rootlets set out in either
spring or fall three feet apart with
their upper ends below the surface.
They require little attention and may
be dug the year after being planted.
Once set out they will endure sew
eral years. 1t is best to top dress
them with manure in the fall.
WINTER ONIONS.
Winter onions are set out in Sep
TENDER and are used green in the
early spring. They do not produce
a bulb but only top sets.
STRAWBERRIES.
The strawberry is a delicious
fruit. II grows in almost all soils
and climates but with us. succeeds