PRACTICAL GARDENING 



of the furrow before planting. Mix this into 

 the soil with the hand on setting the root. 

 Spread out the roots, having the crown bud in 

 the center of the furrow. The new roots 

 should be planted early in the spring. The 

 manure is well decayed and the roots establish 

 themselves readily. It is good practice to 

 place in the bottom of the trench some very 

 fine soil mixed with rotten wood that has be- 

 come pulverized. The decayed wood not only 

 supplies some fertilizer but it also holds mois- 

 ture which is very essential to the growth of 

 asparagus. Decayed sod will take the place 

 of the rotten wood, providing the sod is 

 chopped up fine. Cover to a depth of two 

 inches. As the plants grow, cultivate so that 

 the soil is gradually fitted into the furrow. 

 The crown should be six to eight inches below 

 the surface of the soil by fall. 



Begin cultivation as soon as the young spikes 

 appear and keep the rows free from weeds. 

 Never set a bed where there is witch grass. 

 In the fall dress the rows with partly decayed 



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