LATE SHOWERS & EARLY FLOWERS 



barrow-loads per rod worked into the lower spit. I am April 

 convinced that deep breaking-up of the soil has much to ^~^5 

 do with success in Asparagus growing in heavy land. 

 It facilitates the getting away of surface water, increases 

 friability and aeration, and raises the level of the top or 

 planting stratum. A determined grower will break his 

 soil three feet deep, and deserve applause for his resolu- 

 tion. When the work is done the ground level will 

 stand nearly a foot higher than it did before — quite that 

 if road scrapings, mortar rubbish, and wood-ashes (all 

 splendid additions to ground for Asparagus) are thrown 

 on to the surface with a liberal hand. If two beds are 

 being made side by side, a strip two feet wide may be 

 marked out between them, and the soil from it thrown 

 on to the beds, thus further raising the level, and simul- 

 taneously forming a path, or what the gardener terms 

 an alley. A bed four feet wide willgive plenty of room 

 for two parallel rows, and the plants may be set in them 

 eighteen inches apart. If the soil is light, cover them six 

 inches deep, if heavy four inches. It is prudent to get the 

 bed ready directly the plants are ordered, instead of 

 waiting until the roots arrive. There is always danger 

 of the roots getting dry, and if they do, anything may 

 happen ; even if they do not fail altogether, they will be 

 very slow indeed in starting. 



Seed of Asparagus may be sown now for planting 

 next spring. Existing beds of Asparagus may have a 

 dressing of salt at the rate of a pound per square yard. 



APRIL— Third and Fourth Weeks April 



16-30 



Flowers 



Half-hardy Annuals. — Those who lack the facilities 

 for raising Asters, Ten-week Stocks, Marigolds, Phlox 



