146 ASPARAGUS 



hope to find one. The Palmetto has not rusted as 

 badly as other kinds, but has not been grown so ex- 

 tensivel}'. One-5-ear-old roots should be set by all 

 means, as they start sooner, grow more vigorously, 

 and in the end pay better. The roots should be care- 

 fully seledted from vigorous stock. A very large part 

 of Concord asparagus is planted on sandy soil — i.e., 

 good, rich, mellow corn land. This kind of land needs 

 more manure, but then the crop is more satisfactory 

 and the labor bill is not so high. The land pre\'ious 

 to setting to asparagus should be well tilled and 

 manured. 



Land for asparagus beds should be plowed late in 

 the fall, and if stable manure can be afforded should be 

 applied liberally. In the spring plow again early and 

 harrow well. The roots should be planted in April as 

 soon as the ground can be worked. After determining 

 the diredlion of the rows a number of laths, four feet 

 long, are placed in line where the first row is to be. It 

 is very important to get the rows straight and an even 

 distance apart. A good strong pair of horses and a 

 large plow are used, a board being so placed above the 

 mold-board of the plow that the loose soil will not fall 

 back into the furrow. Drive the horses so that the 

 middle of the evener will just come to the lath, then 

 change the lath over its own length, if the rows are to 

 be four feet apart, and that will mark the next row. 

 Change each lath as you come to it, and when your 

 first furrow is completed 5'our second row will be all 

 marked out. Return in the first row to make it deeper 

 and also to straighten any bends. Shovel out the ends 

 for a few feet and you will have a proper furrow to set 



