198 THE HOME ACRE. 



At the same time I protest against careless, 

 slovenly gardening, ground imperfectly prepared, 

 crooked rows, seed half covered, or covered so 

 deeply that the germs are discouraged long before 

 they reach light. One of the best aids to success 

 is a small compost-heap composed equally of ma- 

 nure from the horse-stable, the cow-stable, and of 

 leaves. This should be allowed to stand so long, and 

 be cut down and turned so often, that it becomes 

 like a fine black powder, and is much the better 

 for being kept under shelter from sun and rain. 



All who hope to have a permanent garden will 

 naturally think first of asparagus, one of the 

 vegetables that have been longest in cultivation, 

 and one which is justly among the most valued. 

 It was cultivated hundreds of years before the 

 Christian era, and is to-day growing in popular 

 esteem among civilized peoples. 



In the matter of preparation I shall take issue 

 with many of the authorities. I have read and 

 known of instances wherein extraordinary expense 

 and pains have been bestowed upon the asparagus- 

 bed. The soil has been dug out to the depth of 

 two or more feet, the bottom paved, and the 

 homely, hardy roots, accustomed to roughing it 

 the world over, set out and tended with a care 

 which, if given to a potato, would make it open its 

 eyes. There are few more hardy or widely dis- 



