ngs of barnyard manure. Where
such vegetable matter is procurable, the quantity of nitrogen may be
decreased proportionately. If manure is obtainable, allowance should be
made for the fertilizing elements contained therein.

An excellent formula for one ton of asparagus fertilizer, given by Prof.
W. F. Massey, consists of:

200 lbs. nitrate of soda
700 " cottonseed-meal
800 " acid phosphate (13 per cent.)
300 " muriate of potash

This will yield 4.9 per cent. ammonia, 6.1 per cent. available
phosphoric acid, 8.4 per cent. potash.

The effects of the application of a scientifically balanced fertilizer
ration upon asparagus is clearly illustrated in Fig. 21, which presents
a photographic reproduction of an experimental plat of the North
Carolina State Horticultural Society at Southern Pines, N. C.,
fertilized with

250 lbs. nitrate of soda
400 " acid phosphate
160 " muriate of potash

per acre, while Fig. 22 shows a plat of equal size which remained
unfertilized.

[Illustration: FIG. 21--NORTH CAROLINA'S EXPERIMENT FARM ASPARAGUS PLOT;
FERTILIZED]

The following table gives the amounts of different fertilizer materials
necessary to give the desired quantity of each element:

_Element_ _Pounds of different materials for one acre_
{ 800 to 1,000 lbs. cottonseed-meal; or
Nitrogen { 350 to 400 " nitrate of soda; or
{ 275 to 300 " sulphate of ammonia; or
{ 400 to 600 " dried blood.

{ 300 to 500 lbs. kainit; or
Potash { 150 lbs. muriate of potash; or
{ 150 to 300 lbs. sulphate of potash

Phosphoric acid { 750 to 1,000 lbs. acid phosphate; or
{ 600 to 800 dissolved bone.

[Illustration: FIG. 22--NORTH CAROLINA EXPERIMENT FARM ASPARAGUS PLOT;
UNFERTILIZED]

"Asparagus requires very heavy manuring, and yet its composition would
not indicate it," writes Mr. Charles V. Mapes. "The explanation is found
in the fact that it must grow very rapidly, otherwise it is tough,
stringy and flavorless, the same as with radishes. If it had a long
season to grow in, like timothy hay, it might grow successfully in very
poor soil. A half ton of timothy hay contains about as much plant food,
and in similar proportions, as two thousand bunches of asparagus, or
five thousand quarts of strawb