IX 



CULTIVATION 



AS GENERALLY Understood, the chief objedl of 

 ^ cultivation is to kill weeds. This is an erro- 

 §^^ neous idea, however, as the appearance of 

 weeds serves simply as Nature's reminder of 

 the necessity of immediate cultivation. On ground 

 cultivated as thoroughly as it should be for the best 

 development of the crop there will rarely be any 

 weeds to kill, as their germs have been destroyed by 

 the process of cultivation before they could make their 

 appearance above the ground. 



CARE DURING THE FIRST YEAR 



The cultural work in the asparagus bed during 

 the first year consists in loosening the soil at frequent 

 intervals, and especially as soon after rain as the 

 ground becomes dry enough for cultivation. Frequent 

 and thorough cultivation is necessary not only to keep 

 down the weeds, but also to prevent the formation of 

 a crust on the soil after rain, and to provide a mulch 

 of loose earth for the retention of moisture. In field 

 culture the work is best done with a one-horse cultiva- 

 tor or a wheel-hoe, and on a small scale with a 

 scufiie-hoe and a rake. As the sprouts grow up 

 small quantities of fine soil should be drawn into the 



