The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1911-08-24
CULTURE OF ASPARAGUS
Professor A. c. Page, College OF A.
ricuIture, University Of
Missouri.

Missouri.
Any time of the year Is the right
time to begin planning for an aspara'
gus plot. For the best results are
gotten from this delicious spring veg
etable when the plot Is planned and
prepared while in advance OF plant
ing.
In selecting q place for asapargus,
remember that 1t will need to be cut
every morning during its yielding sea-
son. and that the one planting OF 1t
will likely last a lifetime. So 1t Is
essential to put 1t In convenient
| Mace. A row Of 1t along the fence
in the garden will probably be cor
yenient, If the place is not already
occupied by rhubarb. 1t is very nee
essary that the soil for asparagus De
| exceedingly rich, but in small plant
ing this can be made artiticiaily.
Having selected the place, the PROB
lem is to put the soil in the best pos
sible condition, both Of fertility and
physical structure. Potatoes or some
other cultivated crop is good to pre-
code asparagus, as the ground VIII DC
well loosened up by it. Heavy manuf-
ing is absolutely necessary. Inc
ground can not be too rich for as
marquis. Put on thick coating OF
manure, spade it in deeply and then
| mt on more, and keep on as long as
If seems possible to make it any rlch-
or If is much more satisfactory to
do this manuring at this time, pelore
the plants are started: for after the
nlants are in there will be difficulty
in doing much heavy manurlng.
II is not so essential to have very
deep soil.bed, as the asparagus roo's
tend to grow horizontally instead OF
down. But the first foot OF the SOIL
should be spaded and raked repeated
" so that it will be mellow. IL TINS
lis kent up from now till time to set
the plants next spring, it should be IN
first-class condition.
This is not the season for settlhe
plants, but few words may not pe
amiss. 1t will usually be better for
the man who wishes to nave nome
garden of asapargus to rely upon 'he
scotsman or nurseryman for the
vounp crowns. Usually there is some
,rouhle in growing them from the
seed. If there is any cholce' PICK
the ones which are broad ana well
developed, In setting them, make 1ur-
VOWS from six inches to foot deep
and set the crowns in the poltom VI
Them. Sprinkle the dirt loosely ABOUT
Them and cover them lightly with
loaf mold or some mulch like straw.
Add a little more earth over the TOP
from time to time as they grow. FINAL
, w nv this process, the row VIII De
r level.
Asparagus should not be cut the
first season at all. Let lhe leaves
grow and store up plant-food for the
: newt seasons growth. Usually there
should be very little if any cutting the
;. second wear. it takes some time 1or
-, the plants to become we'll estaphsheo'
i The third spring there should ne a
husy early morning job OF cutting
G every day, and thus it is ilkel! 10
{ he for many years If the plot is prop
n erly cared for.
In the fall and winter. cover the
whole asparagus plot thickly with ma
S nure. and in early spring rake on al
G that has not washed into the ground
= This will help to push the crop wher
\ the ground warns up.
:, Be careful not to cut TOO long II
/ the spring. Some men have peer
d known to cut asparagus all summer
it az long as 1t would put out any KING
a ~ shoots. This is not economical a
:: Il destroys the vigor of the plants
! They should be left alone after IN
Middle of June or the first OF Jul.
W and the tops let to grow. the pant
H. will thus have chance to store tnei
- roots full of plant food for the mex
u. spring's rapid growth.
IN There are few pests when aHect al
or marquis. There is occasionally som
or trouble with rust and there is aspar'
g,s hectic which sometimes bother
There ia also a black fylike inset
which eats on the stalk OF the pan
The beetles and fly can be trapped o
to ,e,tinp a few plants grow up witno'
, cutting until they are INFESTED VIII
sc the bugs. Then they may be cut an
VI burned The rust may be comoatte
ne nv burning the dead plants IN wint'
rk or sometimes by spraying in the sur
81 mer after the cutting season. Ca'
X should be exercised not to spray
NO any plot that is being cut for USE
nc the sprays are poisonous. Lead
:. senate solution is usually advised. I
he ,h,,eb asparagus Is not usual