202 THE KITCHEN GARDEN. [MARCH 



the dung buried equally in each trench, twelve or fifteen inches be- 

 low the surface. 



When this trenching is done, lay on two or three inches of very 

 short well-rotted manure all over the surface, and dig the ground 

 over again eight or ten inches deep, mixing this top-dressing and in- 

 corporating it well with the earth. 



The ground being thus prepared and laid level, divide it into beds 

 four feet and a half wide, with alleys two feet wide between each bed. 



At each corner of every bed let a firm stake be driven into the 

 ground, to serve as a mark for the alleys. 



Four rows of asparagus are to be planted in each bed, and ten or 

 twelve inches distance to be allowed between plant and plant in the 

 row, and let the outside rows of each bed be eight inches from the 

 edge. 



Next, let it be observed that the plants for this plantation must 

 not be more than two years old ; but most good gardeners prefer those 

 that are only one, which are what I would recommend and choose to 

 plant, as from experience I have found they generally take root much 

 freer and succeed every way better than the former. The following 

 is the method of planting them : 



Strain your line along the bed eight inches from the edge, then 

 with a spade cut out a small trench or drill close to the line, about 

 six inches deep, making that side next the line nearly upright ; and 

 when one trench is opened plant that before you open another, placing 

 the plants upright ten or twelve inches distant in the row. 



In planting these plants, observe that they must not be placed flat 

 in the bottom of the trench, but nearly upright against the back of 

 the trench or drill, and so that the crown of the plants may also 

 stand upright, and two or three inches below the surface of the 

 ground; let them be all placed an equal depth, spreading their roots 

 somewhat regular, against the back of the trench, and at the same 

 time drawing a little earth up against them with the hand as you 

 place them, just to fix the plants in their due position, till the row is 

 planted ; when one row is thus finished, immediately with a rake draw 

 the earth into a drill over the plants, and then proceed to open an-- 

 other drill or trench, as before directed ; plant it in the same manner, 

 and cover in the plants as above, and so on till the whole is planted, 

 then let the surface of the beds be raked smooth, and cleared from 

 stones. 



When the plants come up, keep them always free from weeds ; but 

 in the mean time, be cautious not to sow any early crops whatever 

 among your young plantations, as is very injudiciously practised by 

 many, for these would smother them in their growth, and greatly re- 

 tard their progress. 



Let it be next observed that it will be three years from the time 

 of planting before the asparagus plants produce buds large enough to 

 cut for use in any general gathering ; though sometimes in rich, good 

 ground, and a remarkably prosperous growth in the plants in the pro- 

 duction of strong shoots, a few of the largest may be cut the second 

 spring after planting, but I would advise not to cut many before the 

 third year. 



