94 GARDENING FOE PBOFIT. 



liar succulent roots, is less susceptable of injury from late 

 planting than most other vegetables, although at the same 

 time delay should not occur, unless unavoidable, as the 

 sooner it is planted after the ground is in working order, 

 the better will be the result. When there is plenty of ground, 

 and the crop is to be extensively grown, perhaps the 

 best mode of planting is in rows 3 feet apart, the plants 

 9 inches apart in the rows. For private use, or for market- 

 ing on a small scale, beds should be formed 5 feet wide, 

 with three rows planted in each; one in the middle, 

 and one on each side, a foot from the edge ; the distance 

 of the plants in the rows, 9 inches; the alleys between 

 the beds should be 2 feet wide. In planting, a line is set 

 and a cut made, a little slanting, to the depth of 6 or 8 

 inches, according to the size of the plants. The plants 

 are then laid against the side of the trench, at the distance 

 already named 9 inches care being taken to properly 

 spread the roots. The crown or top of the plant should 

 be covered about 2 inches. In a week or so after plant- 

 ing, the beds should be touched over lightly with a sharp 

 steel rake, which will destroy the germinating weeds. The 

 raking had better be continued at intervals of a week or 

 so, until the plants start to grow, when the hoe may be 

 applied between the rows and alleys ; the weeds that come 

 up close to the plant, must of necessity be pulled out by 

 the hand. 



THE APPLICATION OF SALT to Asparagus as a top- 

 dressing, is of great benefit in inland districts, out of the 

 range of a saline atmosphere ; but is of little or no benefit 

 in the vicinity of salt water. When used, it should be 

 applied in spring only, at the r?tc of from 2 to 3 Ibs. per 



