stop the presses!
just discovered in a little known scroll salvaged from the ashes of the temple of jupiter in londinium after it's destruction by boudicca:
a translation from the original latin:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by diplodocus
and vespasian came upon the asparagii in their hill fort near camilundium (in kent) and did note their unusual battle tactics.
queen illusium of the asparagii had declared that they would not move from their shield wall and decreed that each warrior would have their feet buried three hands deep in their native soil from which they would not budge. the asparagii were noted for painting themselves green where others of the britanni would paint themselves blue. the asparagii being of an unbending nature did not so paint their legs below mid calf, leaving them white.
vespasian declared that the armourers of the 2nd legion would construct a pilum with a special toothed head such that it in embeding itself in the soil would sever the ankles of the asparagii wariiors, thus rendering them unfit.
to this day, pilum heads of unusual design are found in the meadows and fields of camilundium which are seen nowhere else.
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a recently discovered cave painting of queen illusium of the asparagii
a quote from a gardening site:
Quote:
Harvesting Asparagus
In year 3 you can make the first cuts. Early in the season, you cut just a few spears ( no more than 2 to 3 from each plant) about 6" ( 15cm) below the level of the soil ( you really do need a proper asparagus knife for this- I've used a scallop knife for the job with some success).
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in honour of the deceased asparagii and queen illusium's last vegetable stand the asparagus knife is designed to be inserted into the ground below the level of the soil to saw thru the stem, which does not put any great stress on the device. as it is only cutting a narrow stalk, only the initial portion of the tool is required to be serrated and/or sharpened. in the USA and germany, asparagus ar banked in order to keep the stems from the sun, and thus produce 'white' asparagus, which are cut well below the level of the soil with such a tool in honour of the white ankles of her warriors.
(similar stub tangs have been used for centuries on swords, dha, parang, pedang, kukhri and others for much more demanding 'harvests')