284 APRIL. 



years on the same ground, thorough prepara- 

 tion should be made for it. The soil cannot be 

 made too rich, and every spring it must be 

 abundantly stimulated ; and this, with keeping 

 it free from weeds, is all that is required. I 

 have Thomas put a good shovel of manure on 

 the crown of every plant in November, and 

 this keeps them warm, and starts them early in 

 spring. The ground should be dug around 

 them as soon as the frost is out. 



The earlier new plants are set out the better. 

 They can be procured at any seed store, and, 

 for a local market, it is best to order the largest 

 variety, even if it is a littls later The plants 

 should be set so that the crown, or bud, is 

 barely under ground. Make the rows four feet 

 apart, and let the roots stand three feet from 

 each other in the row. Its time of readiness 

 for market will vary with the season. In 

 '71 my sales commenced April 28th, and for 



