ASPARAGUS. 23 



nure ; the alleys must be dug spade deep, at the same time spread- 

 ing some soil over the manure on the beds, and leveling the whole 

 evenly. It may be supposed that the annual dressing in this 

 way will in a few years considerably raise the beds ; but by the 

 Spring forking and raking, together with the hoeing and dress- 

 ing during Summer, a considerable portion of the earth is being 

 continually drawn again into the alleys. 



As soon as the frost is fairly out of the ground in the Spring, 

 loosen the surface of the beds with a fork, introducing it three 

 or four inches into the soil, turning up the earth with care not 

 to wound the crown of the roots. Then make the surface of 

 the beds even and equal, drawing off the rough earth, stones x 

 <fcc., into the alleys ; finish by stretching a line along the edge 

 of the beds, and trim them neatly off with the spade. Stirring 

 the bed in this manner enables the shoots to rise in free 

 growth ; admits the air, rain, and sunshine into the ground, 

 and encourages the roots to produce buds of a strong size. A 

 full crop may be expected the fourth season after planting. 

 The proper method of cutting them is to scrape a little of the 

 earth away from each shoot ; then, with a sharp-pointed, long- 

 bladed knife, cut off the shoot slantingly, about three inches 

 under the surface, taking care not to wound the younger buds 

 that are advancing below in different stages of growth. It is 

 in the best state for cutting when it is four inches above ground, 

 and while the top remains close and round. The cutting 

 should never extend beyond the middle of June. 



Asparagus beds, with good culture, will continue to give 

 bountiful crops for twelve or fifteen years. It is frequently 

 forced on dung hot-beds, and in the hands of the initiated, with 

 great success ; but to go into the general minutise of forcing 

 vegetables, would take us entirely beyond our limits ; a few 

 hints however, will give an idea of the operation. Prepare a 

 hot-bed of two lights, in the way we have directed for cucum- 

 bers, about two feet high at back and twenty inches in front, 

 Cover it with four inches of soil ; lay thereon roots that are at 



