870 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



Where many roots are raised for feeding to stock, and where cellar room is wanting, 

 it will not cost very much to pit them. The pit is usually made four feet wide, by plowing 

 the land and shoveling out the loam at each side; the roots are piled in a ridge about three feet 

 deep, and lightly covered with straw or sedge, over which six inches of loam are placed, well 

 beaten with the back of a shovel. When cold weather comes on, pile on enough litter to 

 keep out frost; provide air-holes every rod in the length of the pit, for ventilation. Plow 

 a deep furrow around the pit, to carry off surface water. 



Rotation of Crops for Gardening. Since different plants appropriate different 

 elements or substances found in the soil for promoting their growth, a rotation of crops is 

 quite as essential in gardening, as in the cultivation of farm crops. Care should therefore be 

 taken that the same or similar plants should not be grown on the same soil for successive 

 seasons. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as onions, for instance, that will some 

 times thrive for successive seasons on the same land; but such instances are rare, and we 

 believe all plants will do better when a change of soil is frequently made. (See ROTATION OF 

 CBOPS, Vol. I, page 107.) 



Asparagus. This is one of the most wholesome and delicious of all vegetables, and it 

 is a matter of surprise that so few farmers cultivate it, with all the facilities for so doing. 

 For market gardens, we know of nothing that will prove more remunerative, it being found 

 in the markets early in the season at exorbitant prices, while all through the season of its 

 growth it will find a ready demand at good prices. As to the labor of producing it, but little 

 is required when a bed has once been established, and it will last for many years, asparagus 

 beds having been known to be productive for more than fifty years. There is said to be one 

 on the farm of Capt. Cummings, at Quincy, Mass., that is known to be more than eighty 

 years old, and it is still thrifty and productive. 



Yarieties. The principal varieties of asparagus are CONOVER S COLOSSAL, a well-known 

 variety of large size, tender, and of good quality; MOORE S CROSSBRED, a new kind obtained 

 by hybridizing the Giant improved with another fine variety; it is quite productive, the shoots 

 large, and the flavor fine,- SMALLEY S DEFIANCE, early, productive, and of good quality, but 

 not producing quite as large shoots as those previously mentioned. 



Cultivation. Before sowing the seeds, they should be soaked in tepid water twenty- 

 four hours, to hasten germination. Asparagus requires a warm, rich soil, and thrives best on 

 a deep, sandy loam. It should never be transplanted on stony land, since the stones would 

 obstruct the tender sprouts and prevent their growing straight, and would also interfere with 

 the knife in cutting. Sow early in spring in drills two inches deep and rows a foot apart, 

 and keep thoroughly clean by frequent weeding and hoeing. When grown an inch or so, 

 thin to twelve inches apart. In the following spring the plants will be ready to remove to 

 permanent beds. These should be prepared with more than usual care, as, when once estab 

 lished, the plants will yield abundantly for many years. Where it can be done, the roots 

 ought to be set not less than two feet and a half apart each way. This is a greater distance 

 than is generally allowed ; but, when the bed becomes thoroughly established, it will be found 

 none too great. In cases where limited space renders this distance impracticable, give as 

 much room as possible, but never have less than eighteen inches each way between the plants. 

 Place the roots in their natural position, and cover four inches deep. A light, sandy loam, 

 two feet deep and perfectly drained, is the most suitable. Rich, well-rotted manure, sufficient 

 to cover the bed six inches, should be trenched into the soil to the depth of two feet, as the 

 roots will reach that depth in a few years. During summer, water liberally with liquid 

 manure. It should not be cut for the table during the first year, and very sparingly during 

 the second year. The first year s shoots should not be disturbed until it is time to cut them 

 down in the fall. The next season the bed will give a full crop, but should be annually 



