Page 2 Advertisements Column 1

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 888, 18 October 1854, Page 2 (Supplement)

To raise Giant Asparagus.— A writer in one-i the early volumes of the “ Horticulturist, ’ (.Mr. Dowsing, we'believe,) tells us bow to grow common aspango's, so tb it it will always rival any giant product.oE. He says—“ Every one who has seen my beds mj begged me for the seed, thinking it a new son; > bull have pointed to the manure heap (the farmers b--bank), and told them that the secret all lay there. Itseed was only such as might be had in every gar cAbout the first of November, as soon as the Irost well blackened the asparagus tops, I take a scythe, atraow ill close down to the surface of the bed; let adiy or two, then set fire to the heap ot stalks; bun it to ash-s, and spread the ashes over the surface of w bed. I then go to my barn-yard ; I take a load olcle fresh stable manure, and add thereto halt a bushel-* hen dung, turning over and mixing the whole together throughout. This makes a pretty powerful compost, i apply one such load to every twenty feet m length » my asparagus beds, which are six feet vvide. 1 strong three-pronged spud or fork, 1 dig this dns-i-? under. The whole is now left for the laspring, as early as possible, I turn the top ot the i over fightlv once more. Now, as the asparagus gw • naturally on the side of the ocean, and loves salt wata, f I give it an annual supply of its favourite condim I cover the surface of the bed about a quarter o inch thick with fine packing salt ; it is not too mo As the spring rains come down, it gradually dtaso Not a weed will appear during the whoie Everything else, pig-weed, chick-weed, purslane, . refuse to grow on my asparagus beds. -Bat ll w0 ,l. do vour eyes good to see the strong, stout, tender s a ‘ of the vegetable itself, pushing through the surlst* early in the season. I do not at ad strelcn ap° when 1 say that they are often as large round as a hoe handle, and as tender and succulent as any i e tasted.” I To facilitate the rapid repair of a ship at Liverpool* eras has been introduced into the hold and bet decks; a pipe being carried ihbrouSh the ship s ' and a number of street lumps distributed within; ' that the workmen can readtl.t pursue their labours a'*** ing the night. _