IV.] THE AMERICAN GARDENER. i03 



cold, sour soil, at the bottom ; for, whenever they 

 reach that, the plants, like all others, cease to flou- 

 rish, and begin to decay. As to the time that as- 

 paragus beds will last, that depends on the soil. 

 Having a dry bottom and good management, they 

 will probably last three generations, and if that be 

 not enough to compensate the trouble of making 

 them, it would be difficult to find a compensation. 

 The general cause of the decay of Asparagus-beds 

 is, negligence ; and, particularly, the want of at- 

 tention to keep them clear of weeds, which, without 

 doubt, are the greatest enemies of the plants. 

 These send their roots down deep ; but, they rely 

 also on the ground at the surface. The Lucerne, 

 which will send its roots down thirty feet into a 

 dry bottom, and will live in vigour for an age, if 

 kept clean at top ; will, though in the best and most 

 suitable soil in the world, perish in a few years, if 

 grass and weeds be suffered to grow amongst it on 

 the surface. Sea-sand, where it can be had, is as 

 good as ashes, except the beds are very near the 

 sea ; and there it is of little use. With regard to 

 sorts, I do n-ot know that there is any difference, 

 except such as climate produces. It is very cer- 

 tain, that, to whatever cause owing, the Asparagus 

 here, though so little care is, in general, taken of 

 it, is far superior to that in England. From our 

 frequently meeting with it at a great distance from 

 all houses, there is reason to suppose, that it is a 

 natural weed of the country ; and, therefore, it 

 may differ from the English sort, as the Charlock 

 and some other weeds do. In England the Char- 

 lock has a leaf like that of the white turnip ; here 

 it has a leaf the colour of that of an early York 

 cabbage ; that is to say, of a blue-green colour. 

 There may be a difference between the Asparagus 



