Asparagus on the Farm.

Otago Witness, Issue 956, 16 May 1889, Page 9

Asparagus on the Farm.

, Time was, in the recollection <of many, cultivators of to-day» when the entire space lor an asparagus t bed had ,to,be dugout to the depth, of 2ft, and carted awiy,'to'be replaced with; a rich compost prepared according to a complicated and mysterious formula,, and, sufficient salt incorporated to preserve the -winter's supply of meat. Then the xfoots were buried to a gre&t depth, .as the bleached underground stem was . esteemed superior' to the tender green top above. It is a source, of wonder that the plants ever survived, such heroic treatment, and shows how tenacious of life" asparagus really is. The bed belonging to the Average farmer in those days was rarely protected during .the winter, and, as might be surmised, the yield was of .spindling shoots which would, not b« worth the cutting jn our, time. Then again, the roots were set as close together as possible, which was another incentive to poor, crops. , ' , ,Now, happily^ all that is changed. The soil must' be ' deep, ' rich, and mellow ; ploughed thoroughly; rows' 2ft apart, with the plants lft distant id the' row. Drills may be opened with a plough, and the roots carefully spread out over the bottom, to be covered with fine soil and pressed firm. We thus ensure a speedy, j strong growth by permitting the roots to ramble in search of food, which asparagus greatly enjoys. Use plenty of manure and keep, the soil rioh, open, and free from weeds, An occasional sprinkling > with salt in autumn or brine 'from meat-tubs destroys weeds and enriches the sdU. Avoid deep planting, as lin above ground' is worth more than 2in of hard, woody shobts from beneath the surface, even if destitute of the fashionable white colour. 'Begin in early .spring to stir 1 the soil frequently, and' large-sized shoots will follow. — American 1 paper. ' '

.Shrubs fob a; Dby Gbavslly Bahk..— l should feel much obliged if you or any of you? readers can recomm.eud me what kind of ornamental shrub I ougfyt to plant on a bank overhanging my garden. . The soil is very light and dry, and subsoil limestrone gravel. — S, ,0. G. R. [Rosemary, lavender, cistus, cotoneasfcer, double furze.—BD.] Kebpino Apm.es in Wintlbe— Apples packed in bran (says a horticultural correspondent) will keep in excellent condition all through the winter. To preserve the fruit in this manner a layer of bran should be placed in the bottom of a'barrel, a layer af apples,. stem upwards, upon the bran, another layer of bran upon the apples, and , so forth until, the barrel ia full. .This done they should be stored in some out building until there is danger,, from .severe frost, when they, should be removed ,to the cellar and covered with hay or

other maternal. , , ■ " Puttying Sif all' PauiT.~ln pruning gooseberries the principal thing is, to leave as many young shoots in at fall length as possible, cutting out 'entirely any that cross each other or are crowded;' If the leading branches require shortening' back, then cut to a young growth at some distance down the stem, leaving' the young shoot at nearly full length; Red currant, trees should be spurred in like a, vine, and the leadingshoots. .should be shortened according to space. Black currants, should not be spurred Jin,' but" have the young and old growth thinne4 gut, ana* the latter should be left in at. nearly full length. ' Potatoes in Pfxrs. — Those who have a nothouse or pits can easily have' a few! forced potatoes by planting some in pots. Fill the pots ; half full of good, rich soil, anil in them plant the tubers; as* the haulm' grows the pot can be gradually • filled, thus earthing up'the , potato. One potato, planned in a 7in or Sin poty will yield a dish of potatoes for one person. > i ,\ . The, Fresno (Cal.), publishes, a statement .that an apple tree an Pine Hidgebpre, one ton of fruit the past seaspn. The apples were rotated, at a.n average of fijve cents pcr 1 Ib, niaking tl\e tree worth, an even tp its owner last yea,r. . , , < '•' ' t