Asparagus. 149 



After Treatment and General Routine. Cultural work on 

 the Asparagus plantation during the first season consists in 

 frequently stirring the soil, especially as soon as it is dry after 

 rain, and keeping it free from weeds. Small crops, such as 

 lettuce, onions, or radishes may be grown between the rows, 

 but these catch crops must never be of such a kind nor occupy 

 the ground in such a way as to interfere with the welfare of 

 the main crop. 



If it is found that any of the plants are not showing above 

 ground by the middle of June they should be replaced by strong 

 growing plants of the same age, some being kept for this 

 purpose in a reserve bed. These must be lifted carefully so 

 as not to damage the roots, and on a cloudy day, watering in 

 well afterwards unless it is rainy. 



When the foliage begins to change colour in the autumn it 

 should be at once cut down close to the ground. If left standing 

 longer the berries ripen and the seed drops, with the result 

 that the ground gets filled with seedling plants, which are more 

 obstinate and difficult to get rid of than weeds. As soon as 

 the foliage is cut it should be removed to an open place and 

 burned, so as to destroy any injurious insects or fungi which 

 may be present. 



In the second season the treatment is practically the same as 

 in the first. The ground is again lightly dressed with fertil- 

 izers and kept well hoed, and small catch crops may be again 

 taken off. Even with the most careful planting blanks will 

 probably be seen in a few places where the plants have died. 

 The rows should be carefully examined in the autumn and all 

 such blank spaces marked with a stake ; in the spring these 

 dead plants should be replaced. It is not an uncommon occur- 

 rence even in the best kept plantations for these blank places 

 to occur here and there even amongst established plants, and if 

 replacements are neglected for a few years the shortage of 

 crop will form a considerable item ; therefore a small bed of 

 plants should be raised periodically for the especial purpose of 

 replacements. 



In the autumn of the second year, and in all future years, 

 after the rows have been cleared of foliage and weeds they 

 should be covered about 2in. deep with good stable manure. 



