68 ASPARAGUS 
lands atwo-horse disk-wheel cultivator, with two disks 
on each side, going astride of each row and throwing 
up fresh soil upon the ridge, proves more effective. 
The same implements are used for renewing the ridges 
during the cutting season, which will be required 
about once a week, as the rains beat them down and 
the sun bakes a crust upon the top. 
Immediately after the cutting season is over the 
ridges are leveled, by plowing a furrow from each side 
of the center (Fig. 20), after which the land is har- 
rowed crosswise until the surface is level and smooth. 
As long as practical, surface cultivation should be 
given, especially after rains, but usually at this time 
the plants make such rapid and vigorous growth that 
there will be little time for the work. Their tops and 
branches soon fill the entire space and quickly shade 
the ground so densely as to keep down weed growth. 
Of course, whatever tall weeds may spring up here 
and there have to be pulled out by hand. 
FALL TREATMENT 
The fall clearing of the plantation is an important 
part of asparagus culture. As soon as the berries are 
turning red—but not before—the stalks should be cut 
off even with the ground. If left longer the berries 
will drop off, their seeds will soon become embedded 
in the ground and fill the soil with seedling asparagus 
plants, which are about the most obstinate weed in the 
asparagus bed. If cut sooner they are not sufficiently 
matured, and the roots are deprived of their nourish- 
ment. All the brush should be removed at once to an 
open field and burned, so as not to provide lodging- 
