SPECIAL CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 



ASPARAGUS 



TO grow asparagus successfully, the soil needs 

 to be rich, light and deep. 



Spade the bed as directed in the " Modified 

 Sandwich" bed, only the soil should be stirred to 

 a depth of full eighteen inches. Use old, well 

 rotted manure, with an equal amount of sand. 



Plant in rows lengthwise, and make three rows 

 on a six-foot bed : one in the middle, and one on 

 each side, a foot from the edge. 



The plants may be grown from seed, but if two- 

 year-old plants are used, there will be a saving of 

 at least two years' time. 



Most of nursery men and seedsmen sell aspara- 

 gus plants. Care must be taken that the roots do 

 not become dry, or they are almost sure to die. 



Procure plants about April 20, and plant quickly. 

 Set one foot apart in row, and not less than eight 

 inches deep, the tops or crowns about six inches 

 below the surface. 



Two dozen plants will supply a family. These 

 will occupy a bed six by eight feet, and will con- 

 tinue to produce for many years without replant- 

 ing, but will need a generous top dressing of rich 

 manure each fall after frosts. Also sow a pint of 

 common salt, in autumn, to a bed of this size. No 

 part of the garden is more profitable than the as- 

 paragus bed. 



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