Milford chronicle., 1918-11-22
ASPARAGUS As CONTRACT CROP

believe the greater number OF
contract crops each far.ler raises the
better of he will be, and likewise the
whole community. Farmers, Gamers,
banks, and all working people will
be helped. and for that matter, even
the drones.
Each small farm should have at
least a couple of acres of asparagus,
and larger ones three or four or more.
1t is a crop which does not drive the
farmer at full speed ahead all the
time
Compared to Peas
Asparagus brings in earlier money.
i If the crops is being grown for the
general market. it begins to turn
money into the farmers pocket the
last week in April and continues TO
do so for two months. When grown
for the Gamer the crop would be fin
ished and ready for settlement about
the first of July. Partial payments,
however, might be arranged for dur
ing both May and June. Asparagus
does not take the enormous outlay for
seed each year. The fact is, it is pos
sible to save asparagus seed and sell
them each year as a by-product as as
paragus seed only go to waste. Aspar-
agus once properly planted is good for
fifteen or twenty years; consequently,
there is no dread each year by plant
ing too shallow or too deep. or on the
wrong (?) phase of the moon. Fowls
can not injure asparagus at any time.
The truth of the matter is, the patch
is generally planted near the build
ings so that the fowls can eat the
beetles, which in some States molest
the crop. have been growing aspar-
agus for ten years and l have never
seen a single enemy in the patch.
Compared to Sweet Corn
Asparagus is not at the mercy of
long dry spells. mOuldy seed, mixed
seed, and other imperfections, seed
rotting in ground from long wet spells,
cut worms, crows, ground mOles, even
hail storms can not injure more than
one or two cuttings. Asparagus, COM
pared to the moaey received, is much
/ less bulky to haul to the factory.
Compared to Tomatoes
! Expense of planting only once in.
say, twenty years, do not have to
dread frost or lice on your plants. No
trouble and expense of setting out
your plants each year; no cut worms,
big green worms, nor potato bugs. No
fear of frost at the beginning of the
season, nor none at the close. Deliv-
cry OF asparagus is made before the
season has reached its hottest period, |
consequently the hauling is easier on /
the team, and besides there is none /
of that long wait in line with scalded, /
sour material.
There is no rotation; asparagus once
planted is good for a generation. Same
expense each year, and likewise the
same income. There is no gamble in
growing asparagus under contract.
Ordinary farming is too much of a
gamble. Within a few dollars the
farmer knows what his income will be
from an acre of asparagus, from year
to year in advance. OF what other crop
can that be said? Be it understood, 1 Il
am only comparing. l would not for
a moment suggest the giving up of any
other crop for asparagus. l urge only
the adding of this new one to the list.
do believe, however, that once the
Gamers and farmers agree to try as
paragus it will hold its own against
all other corps.
No doubt beets should be added to
our contract list, and they will come,
too, but they will require much more
preparation for the Gamers TO get 4
ready to handle them. l have pur-
pOsely avoided speaking of the revenue
from asparagus. Put it in the gam
bling list and much money has been,
and can be, made from it. Put it on
the contract price list ad it will show
up as well as peas or tomatoes and
will always be certain.
"Prophylaxis." .