18 
MANURING BEDS. 
In nothing relating to asparagus has there been a greater change 
than in the practice of manuring. Formerly it was thought necessary 
to place large quantities of manure in the bottom of the deep trenches 
in which the young plants were set out ‘‘ in order that suflicient fertil- 
ity might be present for several years for the roots, as after the plants 
were once planted there would be no further opportunity to apply the 
manure in such an advantageous place;” it was also considered neces- 
sary to use much manure every autumn to bank the beds in order that 
the crowns should not be injured by the winter’s frost. These applica- 
tions, especially that given prior to planting the young crowns, made 
the outlay so great, and that for so many years before any return 
would be received from the bed, that only small plantings were possi- 
ble to those who were without considerable capital. 
Although asparagus is still heavily manured, the amount now used 
is much less than was formerly supposed to be necessary, only about 
double the quantity ordinarily used upon root crops, such as potatoes, 
beets, ete. 
It is not a good practice to put manure in the bottom of the trenches 
or furrows when setting out the crowns, because it is demonstrated to 
be rather a waste of manure than otherwise, and besides the roots of 
asparagus thrive better when resting upon a more compact soil; nor is 
it necessary that the soil should contain great amounts of humus or be 
in an extremely fertile condition when the plants are first put out, 
since by the present system of top dressing a moderately fertile soil 
soon becomes exceedingly rich and equal to the demands which the 
plants make upon it. 
Considerable improvement is produced in the mechanical condition 
of the soil by the use of stable manure upon beds. By the addition of 
humus, porous sandy soil is made somewhat more binding and its 
ability to take up and retain moisture thereby increased; while, on 
the other hand, cold, heavy soils are made warmer and more porous. 
Lierke, in his work on Orchard and Garden Culture, says: ‘‘On ‘ raw’ 
eround it is necessary during the first years to give heavy applications 
of stable manure, but later, when there is an amelioration in the con- 
dition, this may be omitted.” In another place he remarks: “If one 
has but a limited amount of manure, it is best to properly manure only 
a portion of the field each year, and arrange so that each portion may 
be so treated every two or three years.” 
Allorganic manures are suitable for use on the beds; but care must 
be exercised in the use of any of these lest they be too hot and injure 
the plants, especially if applied directly to the roots.and immediately 
over the crowns. Where the young shoots come up through it, fresh, 
hot manure is likely to produce rust or to render the shoots unsightly 
and thus injure their sale. Especially is this true in light, sandy soils. 

