Pray how does your asparagus perform

It takes three years to produce a full crop of asparagus. The plant forms a crown that sends up spears for about 6 to 7 weeks during the spring and early summer. Out in Washington State in the Columbia Basin, the climatic conditions are perfect for the growing of asparagus. Here a spear can grow 10 inches in one day.

And once established a well cared for asparagus plant will produce for 15 years without replanting. One year I was in Germany during the height of the asparagus harvest. The Germans are convinced their asparagus spargell , grown on farms surrounding the Rhine Valley city of Schwetzinger, is the finest in the world. I was in Schwetzingen the first Saturday in May and became a spectator and finally a participant of Saprge Samstag, It was all in honor of their beloved asparagus and the celebration centered on a magnificent castle in the city, built by Prince Elector Carl Ludwig after he had visited Versailles.

The castle is opened every spring when thousands converge on the town to celebrate asparagus. Not to be outdone by our cousins across the pond, there are several festivals that honor asparagus throughout the country. Although Michigan ranks third in the United States in growing asparagus, the state legislature has proclaimed Shelby and Hart in Ocana County as the asparagus capital of the world. And who am I to argue with them?

During the last weekend in June the "Spear-It of Elegance" attracts over 15, asparagus enthusiasts. Every imaginable asparagus dish ever conjured up is available along with a wife of a grower crowned Mrs. It's not too late to plan to go to the Stockton, California Asparagus Festival. The Stockton region produces about 35, acres of asparagus, the largest harvest in the United States, and they also claim the title of Asparagus Capital of the World.

At their annual Asparagus Festival in June one will find Asparagus Alley with vendors offering asparagus pasta, asparagus quiche and "asparaberry" shortcake consisting of strawberries and asparagus, which lends a nutmeg flavor to the berries.

Asparagus is delicious raw or just barely steamed and served with butter or lemon juice. However, it lends delicious flavor and enhances many more common dishes.

Here are some of my favorites:. Cook asparagus in boiling water 6 to 8 minutes or until tender-crisp. Rinse immediately under cold water. Transfer to broiler-proof dish. In a small saucepan melt butter. Add prosciutto. Combine basil, pine nuts, pepper and.

Add prosciutto mixture and combine well. Spread over asparagus spears. Broil for 2 minutes or until cheese is almost melted. Serve as a first course or luncheon dish. Topping may be used for other green vegetables. The Weather here has been like our old Easterly Winds to me, and southerly Winds to you. The Charms of the Morning at this Hour, are irresistable. The Streakes of Glory dawning in the East: the freshness and Purity in the Air, the bright blue of the sky, the sweet Warblings of a great Variety of Birds intermingling with the martial Clarions of an hundred Cocks now within my Hearing, all conspire to chear the Spirits.

This kind of puerile Description is a very pretty Employment for an old Fellow whose Brow is furrowed with the Cares of Politicks and War. He has been basely slandered and libelled. I am wearied to Death with the Wrangles between military officers, high and low.

They Quarrell like Cats and Dogs. They worry one another like Mastiffs. Scrambling for Rank and Pay like Apes for Nutts. I believe there is no one Principle, which predominates in human Nature so much in every stage of Life, from the Cradle to the Grave, in Males and females, old and young, black and white, rich and poor, high and low, as this Passion for Superiority Every human Being compares itself in its own Imagination, with every other round about it, and will find some Superiority over every other real or imaginary, or it will die of Grief and Vexation.

So much for Philosophy. And wine is not to be had under Six or Eight Dollars a Gallon and that very bad. I would give a Guinea for a Barrell of your Beer. The small beer here is wretchedly bad. Rum at forty shillings a Gallon and bad Water, will never do, in this hot Climate in summer where Acid Liquors are necessary against Putrefaction.