306 



GARDEiq"IN^G FOR PLEASURE. 



sandy loam. This should be 

 trenched and mixed with suf- 

 ficient manure to foi'm a coat- 

 ing at least six inches thick 

 oyer the bed. This manure 

 should be worked into the 

 soil by trenching to the depth 

 of two feet, as the roots of 

 the plant will reach quite 

 that depth in a few years. 

 In setting, the crowns of the 

 plants should be placed at 

 least three inches below the 

 surface. Asparagus may be 

 planted either in the spring 

 or the fall. If in the spring, 

 it should be done as early as 

 the ground is dry enough to 

 work ; and if in the fall, just 

 as soon as the plants can be 

 had, which is usually in the 

 early part of October. We 

 prefer fall planting on light, 

 well-drained soils, for the rea- 

 son that, if it is done then, 

 young roots are formed which 

 are ready to grow on the ap- 

 proach of spring; but if the 

 planting is done in March, 

 April, or May, this formation 

 of new roots has to take place 

 then and causes a correspond- 

 ing delay in growth. Plants 

 are sold by market gardeners 

 and seedsmen; and as it will 



Fig. iio.-PALMETTo ASPAEAGus. savc a ycar or two to pur- 



