THE SOIL AND ITS PREPARATION 45 



SO than great fertility, for the latter can be produced 

 by heavy manuring, which the future cultivation will 

 require; and to the end that weeds may be few, it is 

 well that for a year or two previous to planting the 

 land should have been occupied by some hoed crop, 

 such as potatoes, beets, cabbage, etc. Land on which 

 corn has been growing for two or three years is in 

 excellent condition for an asparagus field, provided it 

 has been heavily manured one year previous to the 

 planting of the roots. 



PREPARATION OF THE GROUND 



Asparagus differs from most other vegetables in 

 that it is a perennial, and when once planted properly, 

 in suitable soil, it will continue to produce an annual 

 crop for a generation if not for an indefinite period, 

 while if the work is done carelessly and without con- 

 sideration for the plant's requirements the plantation 

 will never prove satisfadtory and will run out entirely 

 in the course of a few 5'ears. The establishing of an 

 asparagus bed is naturally more expensive than the 

 planting and raising of annual vegetables. In addition 

 to this, the plants have to be taken care of for three 

 years before a crop can be harvested. On the other 

 hand, an asparagus bed is an investment for a lifetime, 

 and the dividends derived from it increase in proportion 

 to the care and thoroughness bestowed upon the prep- 

 aration of the land. 



It is at once apparent, then, that nothing should be 

 negledted to bring the soil into the best possible con- 

 dition before planting. This truth was fully recog- 

 nized by the gardeners of former years who practiced 



