56 ASPARAGUS 
is planted ; then let the surface of the beds be raked 
smooth and clear from stones, etc. 
‘“Some gardeners, with a view to having extra large 
heads, place their plants sixteen inches apart in the 
rows instead of twelve, and by planting them in the 
quincunx manner—that is, by commencing the second 
row eight inches from the end of the first and the 
fourth even with the second—the plants will form 
rhomboidal squares instead of rectangular ones, and 
every plant will thus have room to expand its roots and 
leaves luxuriantly.’’ 
In diametrical contradistin¢ction, and as an example 
of the very plainest and simplest of modern methods, 
Joseph Harris wrote: ‘‘If you are going to plant a 
small bed in the garden, stretch a line not less than 
four feet from any other plant, and with a hoe make 
holes along the line, eighteen inches or three feet 
apart, four inches deep, and large enough to hold the 
plants when the roots are spread out horizontally. 
Do not make deep holes straight down in the ground 
and stick the roots in as you would a cabbage, but 
spread out the roots. After the roots are set cut cover 
them with fine soil, and that is all there is toit. Then 
move the line three feet from the first row and repeat 
the planting until the bed is finished. In the field 
make the rows with a common corn-marker, three feet 
apart each way, and set out a plant where the rows 
cross. Itis but little more work to plant an acre of 
asparagus than an acre of potatoes.’’ 
Between these extreme methods many different 
directions for planting asparagus have been given and 
practiced. Modern methods have not only greatly 
