78 ASP AR AGIN OUS PLANTS. 



hardly be made too rich, incorporate in the process of trench- 

 ing a very liberal quantity of well-decomposed manure with 

 a free mixture of common salt. 



Lay out the land in beds five feet apart, and running north 

 and south, or east and west, as may be most convenient. 

 Along these beds set three rows of roots, the outer rows 

 being one foot from the borders of the bed, and the roots 

 one foot from each other in the rows. 



The roots may be set in April, or early in May. Throw 

 out a trench along the length of the bed, ten inches or a foot 

 in width, and deep enough to allow the crowns to be covered 

 three or four inches beneath the surface. There are various 

 methods of placing the roots in the trench. Some spread 

 them out like a fan against the side ; some form little hil" 

 locks of fine soil, over which the roots are spread, extending 

 like the sticks of an t umbrella ; others make a ridge along 

 the centre of the trench, and spread the roots on either side ; 

 while others remove the soil from the bed, rake the surface 

 smooth, and spread out the roots at right angles on the level, 

 afterwards replacing the soil, covering to the depth of about 

 three inches. 



During the summer, nothing will be necessary but to keep 

 the plants clear of weeds. In the autumn, the beds should be 

 lightly dug over, and two or three inches of rich loam, in- 

 termixed with well-digested compost, and salt at the rate 

 of two quarts to the square rod, should be applied ; which 

 will leave the crowns of the roots five inches below the 

 surface. 



Second Year. Early in spring, dig over the beds, taking 

 care not to disturb the roots ; rake the surface smooth ; and, 

 during the summer, cultivate as before directed : but none 

 of the shoots should be cut for use. In the autumn, stir the 

 surface of the bed, and add an inch of soil and manure, 

 which will bring the crowns six or seven inches below 

 ground, a depth preferred, by a majority of cultivators, 

 for established plantations. 



