{x 
CULTIVATION 
Al GENERALLY understood, the chief object of 
cultivation is to kill weeds. This is an erro- 
neous .idea, however, as the appearance of 
weeds serves simply as Nature’s reminder of 
the necessity of immediate cultivation. On ground 
cultivated as thoroughly as it should be for the best 
development of the crop there will rarely be any 
weeds to kill, as their germs have been destroyed by 
the process of cultivation before they could make their 
appearance above the ground. 
CARE DURING THE FIRST YEAR 
The cultural work in the asparagus bed during 
the first year consists in loosening the soil at frequent 
intervals, and especially as soon after rain as the 
ground becomes dry enough for cultivation. Frequent 
and thorough cultivation is necessary not only to keep 
down the weeds, but also to prevent the formation of 
a crust on the soil after rain, and to provide a mulch 
of loose earth for the retention of moisture. In field 
culture the work is best done with a one-horse cultiva- 
tor or a wheel-hoe, and on a small scale with a 
scuffle-hoe and a rake. As the sprouts grow up 
small quantities of fine soil should be drawn into the 
