Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/151

ASH • twelve hour?, till the lime be en- tirely fallen; then incorporating them well together, and by turn- lie whole over two or three -;, the cinders, or half-burnt parts of the coals, which, instead of being useful, are noxious to die ground, will be reVluced to as fine a powder as the lime itself. For this purpose, however, the coal- ashes should be carefully kept dry : and, thus prepared, they are the quickest breakers and improvers of moorish and benfy land. Professor Bradley, in lis dic- tionary before mentioned, farther observes that soap-ashes are highly commended by Mr. Pratt, as be- ing, after the soap-boiler has < •» traded them, eminently fructify- ing; and that the ashes of any kind of vegetables are profitable for enriching barren grounds, as they promote die decomposition of moss and rushes, in a very great degree. The best season for lav- ing them, either for corn, pasture, or meadow, is said to be in the beginning of winter, in order that they may die more easily be dis- solved by showers of rain. Having given this view of the subject, from the collective expe- rience of British writers, we shall also communicate a few practical facts, derived from authentic Ger- man authors. According to their experience, pet-ash is most usefully employed for correcting a sandy and loamy soil ; die ashes obtained from the hardest woods, being the most be- neficial, and among these, the beech and oak are generally pre- ferred. A small addition of quick- lime to die pot-ash, tends consider- ably to increase its fertilizing pro- perty. The refuse of soap-loiters ashes, ASP [127 is Kkewhe used in Germany with the best effect, when sprinkled, soon after sowing, either in spring or in autumn, as closely as r ble, over fields of wheat, rye, spelt, lentils, pease, beans, bar- ic c. lint-seed, hemp, millet, and similar grain, An acre of wheat, or barley, requires however a much greater proportion of these ashes, than one sown with rye, or corn of an inferior quality. They are far- ther employed with great advan- tage, by scattering them on mead< >ws in the early part of spring. — See also Coals. ASPARAGUS, also called Spa- ragus, Sperage, or Sparrow-grass, is an esculent plant, which is rear- ed with great attention, and much esteemed on account of its delicate flavour. There are ten species, but one only is cultivated for die table, viz. die common asparagus, which has an erect herbaceous , and bristly leaves : the other specie:, are sometimes kept in the gardens of die curious, but more for the sake of variety, tiian on ac- count of dieir utility. This useful plant is best propa- gated from the seeds and its suc- ul culture almost entirely de- pends on the proper quality of such seed. Hence, some of die most promising" buds should be marked with a stick, and when the seed begins to ripen, and die stalks to wither, they ought to be cut, and the berries being rubbed off into a tub or other vessel, water should be poured upon them. After they have been stirred, the seeds will subside, and the floating husks may be poured ofFwith the water. The seeds must then be spr< ad to dry, and thinly sown, in the beginning of February, on a bed of rich earth. They should be trod into