CHAPTER VIII 

 CROPS 



I. ASPARAGUS 



Propagation. Asparagus beds, or plantations, are usually 

 established by planting one year old plants. Two year 

 old plants which cost more are often planted, but the one 

 year crowns give the best results and should be used in 

 starting an asparagus plantation. 



The seed should be the best obtainable and is best sown 

 with a seed drill in rows not less than sixteen inches apart 

 for hand cultivation, nor less than thirty inches apart for 

 horse cultivation. The ground selected for a seed bed should 

 be a rich mellow loam, free from stones or rubbish. The 

 seed should not be covered deeper than one and one-half 

 inches. Do not sow the seed too thickly. The plants for 

 best development should stand not less than two inches 

 apart in the row, three or four inches apart would be better. 



The plants should be lifted in the fall and stored in a root 

 cellar covered with moist sand. 



Planting. The field selected for an asparagus bed 

 should be a rich deep loam, thoroughly cultivated, as free 

 as possible from stones or rubbish of any kind. Previous to 

 planting, the field should be heavily fertilized with well 

 rotted manure. This should be supplemented by a liberal 

 application of high grade, complete fertilizer. Nitrate of 

 soda should be applied at intervals during the growing sea- 

 son. Spring planting is generally practiced. 



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