KITCHEN GARDEN. 159 



The same or similar considerations influence the 

 second question ; but there are others which affect, 

 and which may be thought sufficient to decide it. 

 Roots of three years will not only give fruit sooner 

 than those of one or of two years, but their fibres 

 being harder and roots more numerous, are better 

 able to sustain the violence inseparable from trans- 

 plantation, and the other accidents (such as heating 

 and chafing) which often accompany it, particularly 

 if the roots be brought from a distance. 



With regard to the third question we would only 

 remark, that the translation of seedlings from the 

 nursery to the plantation always forms a crisis in 

 their health and character, during which they are 

 best supported by giving to them an increased stimu- 

 lus or nutrition. But if the seedbed be as rich as 

 that of the plantation, the transferred plant has no 

 support of this kind ; and hence it is that, though it 

 may not perish, it will not thrive. 



The last question may be considered as one alto- 

 gether of means or ability in the cultivator ; and as 

 among our readers there may be both poor and 

 rich, we will give a sketch of both methods, the 

 saving plan, and that which, though more expensive, 

 is decidedly better. 



First Method. Manure the square (allotted for 

 asparagus) largely, in the fall of the year, with well- 

 rotted dung. Trench it to the depth of twenty or 

 thirty inches, and leave it in a rough state during 

 the winter. As early as possible in the spring, cov- 

 er it with two or three inches of manure, and dig it 

 to the depth of ten or twelve inches, taking care 

 to mix the earth and the dung intimately together. 

 The square being now dug and manured, level and 

 smooth its surface, divide it into beds of four feet, 

 drill these lengthwise with the spade or the hoe, 

 and in the drills (which may be a foot apart) sow 

 your seeds sparsely, or plant your roots, as the case 

 may be, at the distance from each other (in the 



