MARKET GARDENING 221 



When the plants are well started the trench is gradu- 

 ally filled until, about the middle of July, the land is 

 level. To secure the most profit, from one-half to one 

 ton of high-grade fertilizer or its equivalent in chemi- 

 cals, or five to ten cords of good stable manure should 

 be applied each spring and thoroughly harrowed in 

 before growth begins. 



If the growth has been large cutting from the young 

 bed may begin the second year, but if small not until 

 the third year, the first time of cutting being only for 

 three or four weeks, increasing the time until the old 

 beds are cut from April to the middle of June. The 

 stalks are cut when from six to eight inches long, with a 

 forked knife, a little below the level of the ground. 

 These stalks are tied in small bundles or bunches of 

 various sizes for different markets. The size most in 

 use is such that thirty-six bunches standing on end will 

 fill a bushel box full level with the top. In gathering, 

 all stalks are cut; the very small and imperfect are 

 dropped to the ground as cut, or thrown out as the 

 stalks are bunched. Bunching is done with an ad- 

 justed buncher by which the exact size is obtained and 

 the bunch firmly held in place until tied. Tying is done 

 with raffia fibre, which is strong and flat and does not 

 cut into the stalks when drawn tightly, as it must be to 

 have the bunch hold together as it is handled in mar- 

 keting. This is one of the most profitable crops, selling 

 at from $i to $3 per dozen bunches, according to the 

 season and the supply. Several varieties are cultivated 

 but the kinds most grown are Connover's, Barr's Mam- 

 moth, and Palmetto, there being little choice in them 

 except that perhaps the last is less subject to rust than 

 the others. Fig. 86 shows how this crop and poultry 

 may be combined ; during cutting small chickens may be 

 allowed to run over the bed and after cutting, all, 



