The New Student's Reference Work/Asparagus

As-par'a-gus is a tuberous rooted, perennial herb, which in some varieties is the size of a shrub. It is widely distributed in warm countries of the temperate climes and in the tropics, but is cultivated in all civilized countries. The plant grows wild on the southern coast of England, and on the plains of Russia it so abounds that the cattle devour it like grass. Its varieties number nearly 150, the best and most widely known being the esculent asparagus. For more than 2,000 years it has been cultivated for the succulent young shoots produced from the thick root stocks in spring. It is first grown a year or, if necessary, two years in a nursery bed, then transplanted to a permanent one. Shoots should not be gathered before the second spring after planting in permanent quarters. As a rule the thicker the head the better. The plant yields annually for ten or twelve years. Its important enemies are rust and beetles.