ASPAKAGUS. 126 



done with the plow; but the hoe is to be preferred, as 

 the depth can be more exactly adjusted, and there is less 

 danger of an accidental disturbance of the plant. For 

 safety, until growth commences, the crowns should not 

 be covered the entire depth, but only two or three inches; 

 when the shoots have grown several inches high, the cov- 

 ering may be completed, and this will serve as a working 

 of the ground, and destroy weeds. 



CULTIVATION. 



Its vigorous growth enabling it to overtop grass, and to 

 hold its own against weeds, asparagus will withstand 

 as much neglect as any other vegetable; but it will 

 respond to generous treatment. The expense of its 

 first planting, and its care, until it commences to 

 make a return two or three years later, are too great to 

 admit of neglect. If the plantation has been properly 

 made and properly tended, its rank and luxuriant growth 

 will moet across the five-feet rows in the third year and 

 smother most weeds during the summer. The crop 

 should be cultivated and hoed as often as necessary to 

 subdue grass and weeds. Asparagus produces seed the 

 second year. As soon, therefore, as the ctalks commence 

 to die in the fall, they should be chopped down and 

 burned, to prevent, so far as possible, the growth of 

 young seedlings among the crop, which are not readily 

 eradicated, and are really weeds. 



It is useless to apply manure when the plant is at 

 rest in the fall and winter, but just prior to the commence- 

 ment of growth, make an application of half a ton to the 

 acre of Peruvian guano, bone-flour, or ground fish guano, 

 mixed with muck, woods-earth, or garden soil, and thor- 

 oughly harrow it in. If stable manure is used, it should 

 remain upon the surface. The material being at hand, 

 a mulch thick enough and close enough to prevent the 

 growth of weeds and grass, to be burned off before the 



