232 Asparagus Culture in France. 



which have failed during the course of the year j these must be re- 

 newed in the month of March following. 



" The manure is at once to be covered over with about three 

 inches of the best mellow earth at hand, and over the plants is to 

 be made a small conical hillock about two inches high. This 

 operation is the last to be performed for the year. 



" Second Year. In March or April begin by replacing the plants 

 which have failed in the preceding year, selecting vigorous plants a 

 year old, and setting them in the same manner as recommended for 

 the first year. Stakes are to be placed near the foot of each plant, 

 always at an angle of 45. , 



" In the beginning of April a cleaning is to be made on the 

 shelving beds and on the grounds j it will be well to perform this 

 operation the day after a sprinkling of rain, in order the more easily 

 to break the clods. 



"'As poon as the asparagus stems become firm, fasten them to the 

 Stakes, m order to protect them against the wind, which might 

 break them. In the month of October the dry stalks are to be cut 

 off at eight inches above the ground ; the shelving beds are to be 

 turned up, always lightly hollowing out the trenches. Manure is 

 to be spread on the shelving beds, which are then to be dug up. 

 The stakes, having become useless, are to be taken away. Lastly, 

 the laying bare of the plants is to be done by taking away the earth, 

 as already directed, up to the surface of the manure. The earth 

 must be mellowed by the hands, and covered at once over the 

 plants, to the thickness of a couple of inches, always in the shape 

 of a small hillock. 



" Third Year. In the middle of the month of March, during fine 

 weather, small knolls, from six to eight inches high, are to be made 

 over each plant, taking nevertheless as a basis the comparative 

 strength of the crowns, more or less large, or of a more or less 

 determined development j those which may be too feeble, or having 

 served the preceding year to supply the bad ones, or those which 

 had failed, are to be covered over with a hillock of only four inches 

 high, and should then be left to themselves." 



