Asparagus Culture in France. 



229 



" Preparation of the Ground. — When a 

 ground has been selected, it is first of all 

 spreading on its surface a good dress- 

 ing of horse or sheep dung. The 

 lowest layer of a dunghill, the dregs 

 of grapes, and night-soil, are likewise 

 good manures. The ground is to be 

 dug up to a depth of sixteen inches 

 in fine weather at the beginning of 

 winter, during which season it is to 

 be left at rest. 



"In the month of February fol- 

 lowing, at least as soon as severe 

 frost is no longer to be expected, the 

 ground is to be laid out in furrows 

 and ridges, in order to shape the 

 shelving beds, and the excavations 

 which are to receive the plantations. 

 For this purpose the following opera- 

 tions are to be performed : 



" First, there are to be drawn the 

 whole length of the ground, and by 

 preference from north to south, two 

 lines, leaving between them a space 

 of 14 inches, intended for the site of 

 the first half-shelving bed. Reckon- 

 ing from the interior base of this half- 

 shelving bed, a distance of 24 inches 

 is to be measured for the first ' ground' 

 or trench. The earth taken from it 

 will serve to form the shelving bed. 

 The second shelving bed, which will 

 be a complete one, is to measure a8 

 inches in width at its base, and 14 

 inches in height. Next comes the 



convenient piece of 

 to be mellowed by 



