Asparagus 



A three-feet bed should be prepared by taking out the soil in 

 such a manner as to leave two ridges for the roots. The space 

 between ridges to be eighteen inches, and the tops of the ridges to 

 be so far below the level of the bed that when the soil is returned, 

 and the bed made to its normal level, the crowns will be about 

 five inches beneath the surface. This may be understood from the 

 following illustration of a section cut across the bed. 



Jffeefer^S, 18 inches f ^9 inched!* __ g , f ___ 



'' x .** S ^. IL^ 



A, A represent the alleys between the beds, and B the top of one 

 bed. The dotted lines show the ridges on which the roots are to 

 rest at C, C. When the bed is ready, open the package and place 

 the Asparagus on the ridges at fifteen or eighteen inches apart, 

 allowing about half the roots of each plant to fall down on either side 

 of the ridge. As a rule it will be wise to have two pairs of hands 

 engaged in the task. The soil should be filled in expeditiously, and 

 a finishing touch be given to the bed. Very rarely will it be safe to 

 transplant Asparagus until the end of March or beginning of April, 

 for although established roots will pass unharmed through a very 

 severe winter, those which have recently been removed are often 

 killed outright by a lengthened period of cold wet weather, and 

 especially by thawed snow followed by frost. 



Some of the most critical judges of Asparagus in the country are 

 extremely partial to giant sticks. Their preference is not based on 

 mere superiority in size, but rather on the special flavour which is 

 the peculiar merit of these extra-large Asparagus when they are 

 properly grown. Although there is no difficulty whatever in pro- 

 ducing them, it must be admitted that to insure specimens weighing 

 nearly or quite half a pound, plenty of space must be allowed for the 

 full development of each plant, and a prodigal use of manure is 

 imperative. Where drainage is effectual, the soil of any well-tilled 

 garden can be made suitable. The roots may be grown in clumps 

 or in rows. Clumps are planted in triangular form, two feet being 

 allowed between the three plants of each group, with a distance of 

 five feet between the groups. The more usual method, however, is 

 to plant in rows. In both cases the cultural details are almost 

 identical, and to obtain the finest results it is wise to get the 



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