206 PRACTICAL STUDY OF GARDENING 



planted to a permanent bed the second spring. As this 

 bed will last for a number of years, great care should be 

 taken to see that the ground is thoroughly prepared. 

 Upon this rests your success. The land should be deeply 

 plowed and heavily manured with well-rotted stable 

 manure the fall before planting. In planting, the rows 

 should be six feet apart and the plants two feet in the 

 row. Furrow out the rows to a depth of eight inches 

 and plant in the bottom of the furrow. The roots should 

 be covered lightly at first, packing the soil well, however, 

 around them and filling in the furrow as the stalks appear 

 above the surface. It is better not to gather any crops 

 until the second spring after the plants are put out, and 

 then it should not be cropped heavily. The first two years 

 frequent tillage is important, but after that the ground 

 is sufficiently shaded and mulched to give little trouble 

 from weeds. In growing asparagus, occasional applica- 

 tions of salt will stimulate the growth as this is a sea- 

 shore plant. Among the best varieties are Conover's 

 Colossal and Palmetto. 



About the middle of May I plant cucumbers in rich, 

 loose soil, the ground having been laid off in small hills 

 six feet apart, with several holes in each of these hills. 

 The holes need to be three inches deep and each should 

 contain a half-dozen seeds. 



After every rain, or in a week at the outside, rake over 

 the surface of the hills, in fact, the whole plot devoted to 

 cucumbers. By that time if the weather has been warm 

 the young plant will be breaking through the ground. 

 After that, continue to cultivate as often as necessary to 

 maintain the soil mulch, and please observe that this is the 

 most important part of the season's operation. Of course 

 if you cultivate properly you will not be troubled with 

 weeds. 



Just as soon as the cucumbers appear above the ground, 

 take a shovelful of wood ashes and in the early morning: 



