205 PERENNIAL 



CROPS 



protection, but if not too coarse, may be culti- 

 vated under in the spring and afford that much 

 more fertilizer to feed the crop. If it is too 

 coarse for that, rake it off, cultivate thoroughly 

 and then cover again with litter or manure, to 

 afford nourishment and to preserve the moisture 

 of the soil as well as to protect the young shoots 

 in case of late frosts. 



The whole value of asparagus lies in its ten- 

 derness and succulence, and the large shoots are 

 most apt to have these qualities. The plant 

 cannot grow large shoots unless it has plenty of 

 food. Only rich soil and good tillage can supply 

 the food needed. 



Usually asparagus is cut off three or four 

 inches below the surface with a long sharp 

 knife, but one noted asparagus grower objects 

 to this practice for two reasons. First, it in- 

 creases the temptation to cut too low so as to 

 get the stalks of uniform length as the market 

 requires, whether or not of uniform quality; 

 and second, it tends to waste and to the in- 

 jury of the plants. He would substitute for 

 this practice, careful hand-picking or breaking. 

 The gatherer takes two rows at a time and breaks 

 off the shoots just beneath the ground at the 

 lowest point where the shoot will break with a 

 clean snap. 



