70 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



slightly elevated with advantage. This is easily accomplished by 

 placing the plants on the ridge at the level of the soil, and then 

 covering up with the soil which lies between the ridges. Where the 

 soil is at all unfavourable to the growth of Asparagus, it is well worth 

 while to prepare some light rich compost with which to cover the 

 roots and crowns. It helps to start them freely into growth at first. 



On light sandy soils it is not advisable to raise the ridges above the 

 level even in this country, for under such circumstances they are apt 

 to suffer from drought, and are not so easily watered when this would 

 be desirable. It is all well in such soils to mulch between and close 

 up to the rows with dung or partially-decayed leaves. This, in case 

 of early summer drought, will protect the roots, and render watering 

 more beneficial when applied. 



The planting should never be j^erformed when the ground is wet ; 

 and it is much better to wait for a dry time, even if the plants should 

 shoot a few inches, than to work the ground as has been described for 

 planting, when it is in a wet state. This of course applies with more 

 force to heavy damp soils. Boards should be laid across the ground, 

 so that treading on the soil while the operation of planting is going on 

 be avoided. 



As the operation is proceeded with, strong stakes should be driven into 

 the ground along the rows, and rails of wood nailed along them in the 

 shape of a fence, about 3| feet high ; the first rail at 18 inches from 

 the ground, and the other at the top of the stakes. These are intended 

 for the Asparagus to be tied to, to prevent its being broken by the 

 wind. Few plants are so easily injured by wind as Asparagus. When 

 the top gets about a couple of feet high and begins to expand its foliage, 

 winds lay hold of it and break it off from the ground, and the conse- 

 quence is the ruination of the stools for another year. Every precau- 

 tion should therefore be taken to guard against this evil. I have 

 sometimes, when rails and posts were scarce, staked the rows with 

 dwarf Pea stakes, which, though unsightly, answer very well. 



The summer treatment consists of keeping the ground free from 

 weeds, and taking care that the plants do not receive a check from 

 drought. It is a good plan, when the summer proves dry, to give a 

 good soaking with manure or guano water, and then cover the surface 

 with litter. I have sometimes used short grass, which, excepting that 

 it breeds weeds, answers very well. 



When quite ripe in autumn the tops should be cut off close to the 

 ground, the rough part of the mulching material and all weeds removed, 

 and two inches of good rich manure spread over the whole surface of the 

 ground, covering the line of plants especially well. Nothing more is 

 then necessary till spring, when the manure used as a dressing in 



