100 



VEETABLE GARDENING. 



particular care is necessary for success. The seed should be 

 sown in good soil, early in the spring, in drills which 

 maybe as close as sixteen inches apart, and should be covered 

 about one inch deep. As asparagus seed starts slowly, it is 

 a good plan to sow radishes or other early maturing crops 

 with it, so that the rows may be seen and weeding commenced 

 early. This practice does not interfere with the growth of the 



Figure 44.— Asparagus root with edible shoots. 



asparagus, as the radishes will be ready for use and out of 

 the way before it needs much room. The seedling asparagus 

 will be large enough for transplanting to the permanent 

 plantation when one year old, aud it is the best plan to do 

 this, but they may be allowed to stand two years in the seed bed. 

 The young seedling plants which often come up in or near 

 asparagus beds may be transplanted in July of the first year 

 directly to the permanent bed, and do very well if handled 

 carefully. At whatever age they are transplanted, the plants 

 should be dug and set out in the spring or early summer, as 



