APRIL. 279 



cover and keep them in their place, and a small 

 shovel of rotted manure given to each plant. 

 Stepping back two feet, another trench was 

 opened, and the plants treated in the same man- 

 ner, and in this way the entire bed was soon 

 planted, and the soil over the plants (which 

 were covered about four inches) was left smooth 

 and untramped. Although a fine crop of beets 

 was raised between these rows, the asparagus 

 made a very vigorous growth, and if I should 

 decide to cut it the second year from planting 

 (as I probably shall, since it is on leased land), 

 there will be a fair crop. When the very best 

 results are aimed at, and the purpose is to main- 

 tain the bed in good productiveness as long 

 as possible, it is best not to cut the young 

 asparagus shoots till the third year. 



All the cultivation required is to keep the 

 ground clean and mellow during the summer. 

 In field culture the rows had better be three feet 



