APRIL 273 



of all such weeds as Docks, Spear-grass or any other 

 perennial weed, as if done at the first it is done for good, 

 leaving the land free to be taken possession of by the 

 Asparagus roots, and doing away with any after-necessity 

 of forking about them. Second, plant good strong yearling 

 plants not nearer together than two feet, better still if the 

 distance is increased to three or four feet, marking the spot 

 where each plant is planted with a stout stake, so that 

 their position can be known. Third, the land must be kept 

 free of weeds, and a dressing of manure, or any form of 

 liquid manure, may be given occasionally during their 

 season of growth.' 



I may add that even in inland sandy places I am 

 certain a very fair success is to be obtained in growing 

 Asparagus by planting them in odds and ends of places, 

 even amongst shrubs, or anywhere in suitable corners. 

 The difficulty is to mark the place clearly enough in 

 winter, so that when a new hand comes in the roots may 

 not be dug up. The Asparagus plants that annually bear 

 a quantity of berries are by no means so large as those 

 that are unfruitful, and great numbers of gardeners now 

 discard them at planting-time where they are known to 

 exist. This, no doubt, is a step in the right direction. I 

 believe this excessive seeding of some plants is the result 

 of check in growth irf young stages, such as severe root- 

 injury, overcrowding in the seed-bed, and poverty of 

 soil. It is well to add that in all exposed places it is 

 necessary to secure by staking the summer's growth, as it 

 is very important that this should be preserved from being 

 broken down, and it should not be cut down till quite late 

 in the autumn. 



April 4:th. Eeturned home to-day. It is incredible 

 the difference a little warm rain makes. The whole garden 

 looks so changed from when I went away four or five 

 days ago ! 



T 



