ASPARAGUS SI 



and successful. Select for asparagus the most level 

 spot possible, provided with good drainage ; for the 

 soil will tend to wash away, and the roots may be 

 exposed before long, if on a slope. Sandy loam is 

 the best soil, though any good garden land will do. 

 When the earth is warm, lay off the plot into rows 

 three feet apart, after digging it over with the 

 spading fork at least a foot deep and removing all 

 large stones. Along these rows, scoop out the earth 

 in a trench about ten inches deep and fifteen inches 

 wide. See that the bottom of the trench is loose, 

 and mix with the soil, thus loosened, dairy or stable 

 dressing, about a barrow-load to every twenty feet. 

 This dressing should not be too fresh ; if partly 

 rotted and free from heat, it will do. 



Setting Out. — Into the bottom of the trench, set 

 the roots two feet apart, so that they will spread out 

 freely in all directions and the crown will lie six 

 inches beneath the level of the soil. Then put back 

 two inches of the soil, gathering the earth firmly 

 about the roots. The distances for separating the 

 roots may be a trifle less than two feet, in rows 

 three feet apart; but if the bed is to be permanent, 

 the roots will, before many years, spread so that they 

 will need even more room than two feet. In old 

 beds, where ample room has not been provided, the 

 roots crowd and choke one another. This soon re- 

 duces the size of the stalks and spoils the crop for 

 market. 



