146 ASPARAGUS 
hope to find one. The Palmetto has not rusted as 
badly as other kinds, but has not been grown so ex- 
tensively. One-year-old roots should be set by all 
means, as they start sooner, grow more vigorously, 
and in the end pay better. The roots should be care- 
fully selected from vigorous stock. A very large part 
of Concord asparagus is planted on sandy soil—z.e., 
good, rich, mellow corn land. This kind of land needs 
more manure, but then the crop is more satisfactory 
and the labor bill is not so high. ‘The land previous 
to setting to asparagus should be well tilled and 
manured. 
Land for asparagus beds should be plowed late in 
the fall, and if stable manure can be afforded should be 
applied liberally. In the spring plow again early and 
harrow well. The roots should be planted in April as 
soon as the ground canbe worked. After determining 
the direction of the rows a number of laths, four feet 
long, are placed in line where the first row is to be. It 
is very important to get the rows straight and an even 
distance apart. A good strong pair of horses and a 
large plow are used, a board being so placed above the 
mold-board of the plow that the loose soil will not fall 
back into the furrow. Drive the horses so that the 
middle of the evener will just come to the lath, then 
change the lath over its own length, if the rows are to 
be four feet apart, and that will mark the next row. 
Change each lath as you come to it, and when your 
first furrow is completed your second row will be all 
marked out. Return in the first row to make it deeper 
and also to straighten any bends. Shovel out the ends 
for a few feet and you will have a proper furrow to set 
