lo July. 191 i. 



Asparagus. 



447 



would be too deep, but the depth of opening up should not be less than 

 2 feet; andj in addition, the bottom should be well dug up or trenched. 

 In order to prevent a lodgment for water, the bed should have drainage 

 exits, particularly where the subsoil is heavy or clayey. In preparing 

 large areas, it would be impossible to follow this system. The soil should 

 be ploughed deeply, without bringing the subsoil to the surface, and it 

 should also be subsoiled, particularly if the latter be not at all porous. A 

 good covering of stable manure should be then given to the field j and the 

 grower will have to rely upon subsequent top dressings with artificial 

 fertilizers to provide nutriment for the plants. 



It is beyond doubt that asparagus will thrive better in a friable than 

 in a heavy soil ; as, being a nati\e of the sea sands, it requires a loose, free 

 root area. \n picparinL;- the beds, anything that will be a plant food, or 



A.-.r AKAt.l S CK()\ 



i'LAM i.\(;. 



that will tend to oi)en the soil, may be utilized, .such as sand, turf, wood 

 ashes, soot, crushed bones, leaves, grass cuttings from lawns, straw, sea- 

 weed, in addition to the ordinary fowl, cow, pig, and horse manures. 

 Whatever food ingredients are added to the bed should be well blended 

 together; large heaps of any one substance should be avoided in the beds. 

 It is a decided advantage to have the bed prepared in the autumn, so 

 that the various ingredients may be sweetened ami mellowed l)efore the 

 planting .season. 



Planting. 



The plants may be .set in the rows from June to August. The l)eds 

 should 1m' arranged so as to take every advantage of the sun — a warm 

 aspect is needed to induce quick growth in the springtime. 



One year or two-year-old plants may Ik- used. If the yearling plants 

 are strong, with well developed crowns, and three or foin- iuids, thev mav 

 \m' planted; they will giv*- as gfMid results as two-year-olds. Seeilling 

 crowns .ire to be preferred to divisions of the older crowns, as the young 



