ASPARAGUS. 17 



manner upon the surface of the bed, with the 

 crowns upright and as close to one another as you 

 can conveniently place them ; draw a little earth to 

 the lower ends of the roots as each row is placed, 

 or insert the ends a little into the earth. They are 

 often planted without either drawing any mould 

 about the fibres or inserting them therein ; but this 

 is not so good. Proceed by placing one row against 

 another till the whole bed is completed. Care 

 must be taken to place all the crowns of such an 

 equal height that the whole may form a level 

 surface. Then cover the crowns all over evenly an 

 inch deep with some finely broken or sifted light 

 vegetable mould, working it in among the buds with 

 your fingers, which finishes the operation until the 

 buds appear. As soon as the beds are made and 

 planted, in order to judge of the temperature of 

 the heat, it is proper to thrust some sharp-pointed 

 sticks down between the roots into the bed ; and by 

 drawing them up daily, and feeling the lower part, 

 you will be able to judge of the degree of heat, 

 and be regulated accordingly. 



The roots will soon begin to send forth fresh 

 fibres into the earth, and in about a fortnight the 

 buds of the asparagus will make their appearance, 

 when they are to have their final additional covering 

 of four or five inches of fine, light, rich earth. 



The bed being now finally earthed and the heat 

 become moderate, the lights should be kept con- 

 stantly upon the frames till the buds appear, and 

 during the night should be covered with garden mats, 

 which must be removed every morning, except in 

 uncommonly severe weather ; for it is of importance 

 c 



