10* OF ESCULENTS. SECT. XV, 



other manure than a mixture of all thefe were ufed 

 through the whole work, it were better. As afparagus 

 beds are defigned to lafl many years, (fuppofe twelve 

 or fifteen) no pains fhould be fpared to do the work 

 well; and if the ground were prepared fometime before 

 hand, or in winter, it would be an advantage, the top 

 foil laving trenched for the benefit of troft . The alleys, 

 as well a* the beds, fhould be made good, for the roots 

 of the outer rows will ill ike into them. A rich fandv 

 k>am is the bed foil for afparagus, and if the earth is 

 too heavy, or too light, rechfy it. The ilronger the 

 foil, the higher the beds fhould lie above the alley, and 

 more rounded; and in very light foils they fhould lie 

 flat, or rather finking, to catch the rain. 



"to plant beds of afparagus fet the line nine inches 

 from the edge of the bed, and cut the trench upright, 

 clofe to it, io deep that the crowns of the roots lie full 

 two inches below the fin face. If the mould of the 

 bed lies light, and is likely to fettle much, the crowns 

 of the plants may come very near the top, and two 

 inches of mould put on a'terwards, which is indeed the 

 bed method of planting; but if the ground is not ex- 

 pected to fettle, two inches of the top mould mult (in 

 this method) be firit drawn afide to cover with. The 

 roots mad be neatly fpread againlt the trench, and cut 

 as little as poflible ; i. e. only the damaged parts off. 

 This fhould be with a marp knife, and it would be 

 tetter if done the day before they are ufed, that the 

 ends may dry and heal. It is of confequence to 

 have the 'plants dug up carefully, with a three pronged 

 fork, that the roots may not be injured. 



To fm beds of afparagus, make little holes an inch- 

 deep, at the diflance directed for plants, and having 

 laid three fine feeds in each, near an inch afunder, cover 

 them three-fourths of an inch, which will leave little 

 hollows, to (hew their places, and give occafional 

 watering in a dry- time, to fetch them up. If the beds 

 were covered with a little haulm or ilvaw, till the 

 \ plants 



