THE SOIL AND ITS PREPARATION 45 
so than great fertility, for the latter can be produced 
by heavy manuring, which the future cultivation will 
require; and to the end that weeds may be few, it is 
well that for a year or two previous to planting the 
land should have been occupied by some hoed crop, 
such as potatoes, beets, cabbage, etc. Land on which 
corn has been growing for two or three years is in 
excellent condition for an asparagus field, provided it 
has been heavily manured one year previous to the 
planting of the roots. 
PREPARATION OF THE GROUND 
Asparagus differs from most other vegetables in 
that it is a perennial, and when once planted properly, 
in suitable soil, it will continue to produce an annual 
crop for a generation if not for an indefinite period, 
while if the work is done carelessly and without con- 
sideration for the plant’s requirements the plantation 
will never prove satisfactory and will run out entirely 
in the course of a few years. ‘The establishing of an 
asparagus bed is naturally more expensive than the 
planting and raising of annual vegetables. In addition 
to this, the plants have to be taken care of for three 
years before a crop can be harvested. On the other 
hand, an asparagus bed is an investment for a lifetime, 
and the dividends derived from it increase in proportion 
to the care and thoroughness bestowed upon the prep- 
aration of the land. 
It is at once apparent, then, that nothing should be 
neglected to bring the soil into the best possible con- 
dition before planting. This truth was fully recog- 
nized by the gardeners of former years who practiced 
