Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-09
ASPARAGUS CULTURE.

There Is hardly any vegetable which
has grown IN popularity any faster IN our
city markets than asparagus. The trav-
cling public now demand IL on the tables
OF an first-class hotels and restaurants.
This luscious and healthful vegetable
was a few years ago seen only on the ia
bies OF rich, but II IS now becoming part
OF the diet OF people OF moderate incomes
IL would be yet more generally consumed
II the supply were Increased. For the
sick and convaiescent there IS no kind OF
food more highly recommended, as as
paragus when thoroughly cooked and
served either IN soup or on toast viii
easily digest IN the most delicate stom-
ach.
one other good reason why Asparagus
Is becoming SO popular in our city hotels
and restaurants is because IL appears IN
the markets at q season OF the year when
but few or no other fresh vegetables can
be had. Asparagus can also be easily
canned and BY that means preserved
through a longer period OF the year Its
growth in the garden or field can be also
forced out OF its regular season, thus
making Il available for fresh market use
nom the first OF December throughout
the winter season and well on into spring.
Raising a fine article Of this vegetable is
naturally expensive. but the price Is
good at all times. and the profits gener-
any quite satisfactory 10 growers. The
though the business has now become
much more .sxtenslYe than in former
years Those truckers already engaged
IN asparagus culture would find IL profit
able 70 enlarge the area OF their beds.
while -gnF business extends an inviting
ACID to beginners. Certainly every home
Or kitchen garden should have its bed.
from which the household table may be
fully supplied with this tender and whole
some vegetable. Asparagus has been used
since the days OF the ancients. who prais-
ed its merits. and with its cultivation de-
lighted the appetites OF epicures-
Varieties.
There are about 100 varieties OF the spe-
cies. and x belongs properly 10 the fami-
" Of the lily OF the valley. The early
settlers Of America brought the seed %
this country. and soon found the soil ana
climate congenlal 70 its growth and de-
vel0pment. The root stock or crown"
makes new growth every year from TO
4 inches. growing horizontally. This may
propagate from one or both ends. until
finally the old root stock becomes unprO-
ductive and dies. The principal varieties
grown IN this country are as follows: Col
ossal. Barris. Mammoth. Columbian.
White. Donald's Elmira and Palmetto.
There Is very little difference, however.
IN the true merit Of any OF these varieties
They all serve the purpose when prop
erIy fertilixed and cultivated. The seed
on the plants can be purchased from
seedsmen IN any OF the larger cities or
distributing points. II good plants can be
secured from a reliable dealer Il hastens
the production OF the crop at least one
year. and returns come in TO the grower
sooner. II Is safest 10 grow ones own
SEED II a bed OF the right variety r. al
ready growing on the premises.
Preparation Of Soil.
Asparagus win grow on most any kind
o fsofi and good crops have been made on
heavy stiff clay lands, but for the truck
er who IL preparing 20 grow the vegetable
for market Il IS best 20 select q light
sandy soil OF good natural fertility. such
land VIII produce marketable spears
earlier and j. more easily cultivated. The
land should also be located where good
drainage can be had. because while aspar-
agus can stand an overflow for a short
time. lengthening the period TO several
days viii prove disastrous 70 the beds
The soil should be as free as possible
from roots. stones and trash, so that such
substances win not interfere with the
growth OF the spears. Sunshine is abso-
iuteIy essential to bring the spears QUICK
" 20 the surface. therefore the asparagus
bed or field should not be surrounded
with buildings or shade or fruit trees
growing IN the same field. An open field
or plot OF ground with a good southern
exposure r. desirable. The land should
fail. and the top surface narrowed down
70 q fine smooth filth
After narrowing a compost OF BARNARD
manure should be broadcasted heavily
over the surface OF the area 10 be planted.
and left until early spring. when the land
should be narrowed again and the soil put
In nice friable condition.
Planting and Cultivation.
Spring Is the best time TO plant. though
planting Is sometimes delayed until June.
The rows should be laid of with a long.
wide shovel. about five apart and enough
burrows made TO open out the trench from
70 10 inches deep
The plants should be dropped in the fur
row about IS inches apart and inches
deep. The plants soon play out II allow
ed 20 grow too close together. bed
should live and be profitable for from u
70 % years. owing 10 the care given the
plants. a. regards working and manuring.
Always lay OF the rows due north and
south. 50 that each row will receive the
full benefit OF the sunshine. The tops that
are left 10 mature I'm the fall should all
he cut OF and burned. The roots after
being nicely placed in the burrows. can be
covered lightly with a furrOw thrown
from both sides. There is no need TO put
manure in the bottom OF the furrow. The
hest plan Is to use the compost I'm the fur
row on top o. the roots. after the latter
have been lightly covered with dirt. Com
most the burrows heavily and list on Il
N with disc on other implement which will
serve the purpose. Plow out the beds. and
make first cultivation after hard rain with
Wrht iron tooth harrow 10 smooth on the