36 ASPARAGUS. 



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 ; when one trench is 02:)ened, 

 plant that before you open another, placing the plants upright 

 ten or twelve inches distant in the row, and let every row 

 be twelve inches apart. 



The plants must not be placed flat in the bottom of the 

 trench, but nearly upright against the back of it, and so that 

 the crown of the plants may also stand upright, and two or 

 three inches below the surface of the ground, spreading their 

 roots somewhat regularly 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 until the row is planted ; when one row is thus 

 placed, with a rake or hoe draw the earth into the trench 

 over the plants, and then proceed to open another drill or 

 trench, as before directed ; and fill and cover it in the same 

 manner, and so on till the whole is planted ; then let the sur- 

 face of the beds be' raked smooth and clear fiom stones, &c. 



Some gardeners, with a view to have extra large heads, 

 place their plants sixteen inches apart in the rows, instead of 

 twelve ; and by planting them in the quincunx manner, that 

 is, by commencing the second row eight inches from the end 

 of the first, and the fourth even with the second, the plants 

 will form rhomboidal squares, instead of reclangular ones, 

 and every plant will thus have room to expand its roots and 

 leaves luxuriantly.* 



*The above directions are intended for famUy gardens. Those who 

 may wish to raise Asparagus in large quantities for market, should prepare 

 the ground with a plough, and plant two rows in each bod, which may he 

 carried to any length required. If several beds are wanted, they may be 

 planted in single rows four or five feet apart, in order that the plough may 

 be worl^ed freely between them. Frequent ploughing will cause tlie roots 

 to spread, so as to widen the beds, and the winter dressing may be per- 

 formed in a great measure with the plough. After the Asparagus is cut, 

 the ground between the beds may be ploughed, and planted witli Cabbage, 

 Potatoes, or any other vegetable usually cultivated in rows 



