ASPARAGUS. 9 



the time of planting, place them in a covered basket, 

 with a little sifted earth mixed with them. 



The distance at which they are commonly planted 

 is nine inches in the row, and one foot between the 

 rows ; so that, if the piece of ground to be planted 

 is perfectly level, and the rows quite straight, every 

 fourth row can be left to form the alley. The 

 crowns of the plants are generally covered two 

 inches with mould. 



The method of planting is as follows: Stretch 

 a line lengthwise along the bed, nine inches from 

 the edge, and with a spade cut out a small trench, 

 about six inches deep, turning the displaced earth 

 to the other side of the trench, on the bed; and, 

 having the plants ready, set a row along the trench, 

 nine inches apart, with the crown of the roots two 

 inches below the surface, drawing a little earth 

 upon them, just to fix them as placed. Having 

 finished planting the row, cover them directly with 

 the earth taken from the trench, raking it back 

 regularly an equal depth over the crown of the 

 plants. Proceed then to open another trench, a 

 foot from the first; plant it as above; and in the 

 same manner plant three or four rows to each bed. 

 Then lightly raking the beds lengthwise, draw off 

 any stones or hard clods, and dress the surface 

 neatly and evenly. Let the edges be lined out in 

 exact order, allowing two feet to each alley. If 

 the weather at the time of planting is very dry, 

 water them occasionally, till the plants are esta- 

 blished. 



An asparagus quarter should not contain less 

 than a rod of ground, as it often requires that quan- 



