12 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



and encourages the roots to produce buds of a hand- 

 somej full size. 



In general, transplanted asparagus comes up but 

 slender the first year ; it is larger the second ; and 

 the third year a few shoots may be fit for gathering ; 

 and the fourth, the crop will be in good perfection. 



The best method of cutting them, is to scrape 

 away a little of the earth from each shoot ; then 

 with a sharp-pointed knife, made on purpose, with 

 a narrow blade, six inches long, and finely sawed at 

 the edge, cut off the shoot slantingly, about three 

 inches below the surface, taking care not to wound 

 the younger buds ; advancing below in different 

 stages of growth. Asparagus is in the best con- 

 dition for cutting when it projects three or four 

 inches above the ground, and while the top bud re- 

 mains close and plump. 



The cutting season usually commences towards 

 the latter end of April, and should seldom be con- 

 tinued beyond midsummer. 



Asparagus beds, with good culture, will continue 

 to afford plentiful crops for twelve or fourteen years, 

 after which the stools usually decline in ^fertility, 

 and the shoots in quality ; but the author has known 

 instances of beds producing large and fine asparagus 

 for a much longer period. 



I have frequently observed in many gardens the 

 depth of the alleys, which should always be kept 

 filled up to within eight inches of the surface of the 

 bed, as the roots of the plants extend as well as 

 descend ; if the alleys are left deep, by cutting 

 down the sides of the beds and deep digging, the 

 plants are materially injured. 



