Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1905-11-30

experience.
The Professor then gave some points on
the way tree grows. The tree cannoI
take in anything that is not soluable; the
Il feeding roots of tree are the fine fberous
ones that extend out some distance from
the trunk. He said here was no life in the
center part, or heart Of tree; its only
i functions is to hold the tree up-a support
such as an iron rod would be if inserted.
The only live. part OF tree, be said, was
between the bark and the wood; the whole
growth takes place there. The sap goes up
the tree from one to two inches from the
outside, and goes down between the tree
and the bark. The sap is about like water,
with very little substance in it, until it
reaches the leaves, where it is changed into
fruit substances That is the reason we
must haye healthy leaves.
4 Trees stop growing in June or first Of
July, hence the time to till an orchard is
early in the Spring, not after the growth
stops.
formed now-you grow the crop the year
before you market it. For that reason
spray this year, even if you did not have
a crop this year.
He said pruning should be done close to
the trunk, and the scars painted over to aid
the healing process
He said the purpose of trees and plants
was to produce seed. We want the seed in
corn and wheat, but in frnit or asparagus
we want pulp.
| BENZ. Heritage differed with Mr.. Warren
as TO the heart of the tree, and an interest,"
ing discussion ensued In his osher state
ments he coincided with the speaker, and
desired to emphasize the statement that
fruit buds are formed the year before the
crop is harvested.
A paper an growing and marketing
asparagus was then read BY John 6. Whi-
tall, which follows-
GROWING AND
MARKETING ASPARAGUS.
Iii e.1daavoring to fulfil the request
/ Of your committee for an article uEson
Growing and Marketing Asparagus Z
shall give the method practised by
myself, and also give those Of some
of my neighibors who are successful
growers.
Consider a fertile sandy soil best
for an asparagus bed, as it brings the
grass earlier in the spring when the
price is highest, and would prefer the
beds near the buildings SO the poultry
can help in the fight against the as
paragus beetle.
My beds mostly were planted from
20 to rs years ago, the rows are Az
/ feet apart, plants 80 inches in the
row; if l were to plant now would
have the rows at least 6 feet and
probably 5 feet, and plants 20 to
"a inches in the row. The tendency
among growers is to have the rows
farther apart to give better chance for
4 cultivation after the cutting season is
over. One of my neighbors, who is a
very successful grower, has his rows
twelve feet apart, and the roots Is in
ches in the row; low growing crops
as cabbage, white potatoes, beans are
n
1t was formerly the practice to plant
the roots deep in the ground, going
twice in a row with two-horse plow,
and then cleaning out the furrow with
shovel, this was for the growing of
white grass. but the market now calls
for green grass, so that it is planted
more shallow; we go twice with a one
horse plow, making the furrow into
!, which the roots are put. FIVE or six
inches below the level of the ground.
One of my neighbors tried sowing the
seed direct in the furrow which made
the plants more shallow, and the bed
is a successful one.
Il Think strong one year old roots
best for planting, If not strong then
two year old; place the roots in the
bottom of the furrow without any ma
nure or fertilizer under them, spread
ing the roots out naturally, and cover
with three inches soil, if manure or
fertilizer is used apply after setting
the roots-leave the furrow open un-
til the asparagus comes up, then the
cultivation will gradually fill the fur
row up If white grass is wanted the
furrow must be made deeper to have
the roots eight or nine inches below
the level of the surface.
The best variety of asparagus now is
the one that will best resist the rust.
/ Some varieties rust SO badly as to be
practically worthless, others resist to
a greater or less degree but the rust
proof one is yet to come; although a
neighbor has a variety that after a
three years trial seems practically rust
proof; he procured seeds of Trench
Argentine from three entirely diff
ferent sources. those from one source
the plants rust badly, those from a
second source, is much less liable to
rust, about like Palmetto, which prob
ably it is, while those from the third
source seems about rust proof; should
this trait continue. although the stalks
4 do not grow as large as Palmetto, be
Ilieye this will be valuable variety
II A strict watch is necessary the first
and second years for the asparagus