ASPARAGUS 85 



summer months, the staking of the plants, hoeing, 

 and watering, and other operations already described, 

 are carried on until the stems are cut down in the 

 autumn (see p. 80). When the beds have been 

 established six years they are in full bearing, but 

 from the third year onwards a few of the best shoots 

 are gathered each season from the " crowns " that 

 have been specially moulded up for the purpose. 

 When in full bearing, the beds produce shoots for 

 six or eight weeks, and these are generally gathered 

 early in the morning, as they then retain their fresh- 

 ness for a much longer period. From the sixth year 

 onwards, it is necessary to give a good dressing of 

 manure every other year, and with proper attention 

 the beds may continue to yield good crops of Asparagus 

 for twenty-five or even thirty years. Special attention, 

 however, must be paid to the following cultural 

 details : 



1. The plants should be 3 ft. or 4 ft. apart at the 

 beginning. 



2. Manure every autumn until the sixth year ; 

 afterwards every other year. 



3. Earth up the crowns in spring (see p. 81). 



4. Never gather the shoots after the middle of 

 April. 



5. Level the mound of soil over the crowns in 



July. 



6. Expose the top roots to the air in October by 

 drawing the soil away from them carefully with the 

 hoe. 



7. In spring, clean each clump or crown from old 

 or dead shoots and stems. 



8. Stake the plants every year (see p. 81). 



6* 



