64 ASPARAGUS 
As the reverse of this plan, M. Godefroy Lebeeuf, 
the famous French authority, recommends ‘‘ to clear 
out of the trenches the soil which has fallen into them 
from the sides of the mounds, and also remove from 
above the stools a portion of that with which they 
were covered at the time they were planted—say, to a 
depth of one and one-half inches—so that the action of 
the frost may open the soil and that the rain may pene- 
trate and improve it; also that during the first fine 
days of spring the sun may warm the surface of the 
soil and penetrate as far as the stools. There is no 
fear that the action of the frost should hurt the plants. 
Asparagus will never freeze as long as the stool is 
covered with a layer of soil one and one-half to one 
and three-fourth inches in depth.’’ 
If the rows are not less than four feet apart a crop 
of some other vegetables may be raised between them. 
Beans, dwarf peas, lettuce, beets, or any kinds which 
do not spread much, are suitable for the purpose. 
These by-products will help considerably toward pay- 
ing the cost of cultivating the main crop, besides having 
a tendency to keep the soil cool and moist, a condition 
of no little importance to the asparagus. 
CARE DURING THE SECOND YEAR 
The treatment of the asparagus plantation during 
the second year does not differ materially from that of 
the first season after planting. The ground has to be 
stirred frequently and kept scrupulously clean, and a 
sharp lookout must be kept for the advent of injurious 
insects. As soon as berries appear on the tops they 
should be stripped off and destroyed, as the ripening 
