There are few more hardy or widely distributed species of
vegetables than asparagus. It is "a native of the sea-coasts of
various countries of Europe and Asia." According to Loudon, it is
abundant on the sandy steppes in the interior of Russia. In
Southern Russia and Poland the horses and cows feed upon it. It
grows freely in the fens of Lincolnshire, and is indigenous to
Cornwall. On the borders of the Euphrates the shoots are so
extraordinarily large and vigorous that Thompson thinks it would
be to the advantage of gardeners to import roots from that region.
These facts may indicate that too much stress may have been laid
on its character as a marine plant. Yet it is true that it grows
naturally on the coast of Holland, in the sandy valleys and on the
downs, while off Lizard Point it flourishes naturally on an island
where, in gales, the sea breaks over the roots. In this country
also it has escaped cultivation, and is establishing itself along
our coasts, The truth is that it is a plant endowed with a
remarkable power of adaptation to all soils and climates, and does
not need the extravagant petting often given it. On different
portions of my place chance seeds have fallen, and annually
produce almost as fine heads as are cut from the garden. Nature
therefore teaches what experience verifies--that asparagus is one
of the most easily grown and inexpensive vegetables of the garden.
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