82 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



another year's growth before any shoots are gathered 

 from them ; they are, however, staked and otherwise 

 attended to as already described for the first and 

 second years. 



The stronger crowns over which the mounds of 

 soil have been placed will each yield three or four 

 fine shoots. When these are i or 2 in. through 

 the mound of soil, and their tops have assumed a 

 purplish tint, they are fit to be removed. This may 

 be done with a special Asparagus knife, or perhaps 

 better still, by inserting a finger behind the stalk 

 required so that when bent forward it easily snaps 

 off. In this way there is not the same danger of 

 injuring the other shoots as there is when a knife 

 is used. Shoots from these plants may be gathered 

 as long as they appear until the middle of June, but 

 not later. All cutting should cease at midsummer, 

 so that the plants shall not become exhausted too 

 much. Stakes should be placed to the plants as 

 already described, but before doing so, the little 

 mounds of soil placed over the clumps in March 

 should be spread evenly over the beds. In the autumn, 

 the stems are cut down again, the soil is carefully re- 

 moved from the crowns to the ridges, and in November 

 a thin layer of rich manure and a little gritty soil 

 is placed over the plants. 



During this third year of growth the ridges between 

 the beds should be dug and manured in the spring 

 and prepared for such crops as Early Potatoes, Carrots, 

 Lettuces, Spinach, or Dwarf Beans, etc., as in previous 

 years. 



Fourth and Succeeding Years' Work. This is precisely 

 the same as already described for the first three 



