Forcing

The forcing of asparagus in various methods has been practiced for

centuries, and is rapidly developing into an important industry. The

forcing may be done in any place where a temperature of 50 deg. to 60 deg.

can be secured, in the greenhouse, hotbed, pit, cellar, or in the garden

and field. Whichever plan is pursued, the management of the plants to be

forced is the same. The roots should not be less than three years old,

and, if obtainable, four or five-year-old plants are to be preferred.

These may be dug up from ordinary out-of-door plantations, or, if the

forcing is to be done on a large scale and as a permanent industry, the

plants have to be grown from seed for this special purpose. To keep up a

continuous succession new sowings have to be made every year. The sowing

of the seed and the management of the plants during the first year is

the same as described in Chapter V.



The following year, as early as the season permits, the one-year-old

seedlings are planted out in rows, to develop as much strength as

possible. As the plants are to remain only two years in the nursery bed,

they may be placed closer than in a permanent plantation. A distance of

two and one-half feet between the rows and one foot in the rows is,

however, the narrowest limit, and, where enough ground is available,

three by one and one-half or two feet would be still better. By

purchasing one-year-old plants a year's time may be gained, but

otherwise there are decided advantages in raising one's own plants.

During the following two seasons the ground has to be kept in the best

possible tilth, and at the end of the third season from seed the roots

may be dug just before the ground is likely to freeze. In lifting the

roots it is important not to expose them to the drying influence of the

sun and air more than is unavoidable. It is also important to preserve

the entire clump intact with as much soil adhering to the roots and

crown as possible. They are then placed in a shed, pit, or cool cellar,

and covered with sand or soil to prevent their drying out. Moderate

freezing does not injure the roots, and some growers think that it even

adds to their forcing value.