SUMMER TREATMENT OF ASPARAGUS. 183 



decomposed vegetation, favors cheap shifting of great 

 bulks of it to serve different needs of the plants. 



Later Treatment of the Asparagus Field. There are 

 several points to gain in subsequent cultivation of the 

 asparagus field. One is early starting of the plants, and 

 for that purpose some growers plow first away from the 

 rows to open the ground better to the winter sunshine ; 

 another is to induce the growth of long, tender, white 

 shoots, and to retain moisture for prolonging the cutting 

 season, and to aid summer growth of foliage, and for these 

 ends the early spring plowing is to cover the rows with a 

 deep layer of loose soil. Mr. Boots' method is as follows : 



"Now do not attempt to cut any asparagus until your 

 plants have grown two years, but cultivate thoroughly. 

 The second season's growth you will find quite strong, 

 and along in the fall, after the frost has killed the tops, 

 take a mowing machine or scythe and cut the tops close to 

 the ground, pile up and burn on the ground, as your plants 

 are too deep in the ground to be affected by the fire. Some 

 time in November or December, and not later than the 

 first of January, take two horses and plow, and go along 

 the rows close to the stubs that you cut off, throwing the 

 furrows from the rows, then follow along with sharp hoes 

 and cut the stubs way low down; also break down the 

 little ridge that will be left between the furrows. 



* ' The sun and air will warm and start the roots to grow- 

 ing, sometimes as early as the first of January, and the first 

 plowing ought to be done before the sprouts begin to make 

 their appearance. 



"Along in the early spring after the heavy rains are 

 over, and the plants have begun to push up nice healthy 

 sprouts, take two horses and plow, and reverse the opera- 

 tion by throwing the earth back onto the rows, leaving 

 the dead furrow in the center between the rows, covering 

 the plants up deeply, leaving the plants under the ridge. 

 Then take a fine, sharp-toothed harrow, and drag along 

 the rows the same way the plow went, which will cut up 

 and drag out all clods and lumps, and leave the earth in 



