282 Gardening 
As the plant often 
grows toa height of 8 
or 10 feet, it is especially 
effective as a hedge-like 
screen (Fig. 160). 
ASPARAGUS 
This hardy perennial 
survives severe winter 
weather and yields crops 
of fleshy young stems 
very early in the spring. 
The plant will thrive on 
any good garden soil, 
but prefers a rich, sandy 
loam. The site chosen 
Fic. 162. Cutting asparagus. The stalk for an asparagus bed 
ane we lea ae or two below the should be well drained 
and so situated that 
it dries out quickly in the early spring. 
Before the plants are set out, the soil should be spaded 
deeply and abundantly manured. For the garden it 
is best to buy well-grown roots one year old. Plant 
either in autumn or in spring, rather deeply (4 inches be- 
neath the surface), 15 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart. 
Make a trench or furrow 4 inches deep and set the plants 
in the bottom, spreading the roots out horizontally in 
all directions. The crown of the plant is thus buried 
deeply, and is less likely to be injured when the stalks 
are cut for table use. During the first year after plant- 
ing, cut none of the young shoots for table use; and cut 
