AS PAHA GITS CULTURE. 



19 



nntil the process of planting is concluded, when a second and 

 final covering of about 4 inches of the compost is to be put 

 over the ridges or lines, which is to be firmly trod to the line of 

 plants as before. A small portion of the original surface 

 between may then be thrown up with the spade, right and left, 

 pressing neatly between every two lines as you proceed, and 

 the process of planting, which is exceedingly simple, is finished. 

 A plantation so made, containing from 140 to about 200 square 

 yards, and requiring from 700 to 1,000 plants, or so, would be 

 sufficient to supply Asparagus during the season for any 

 ordinary family— the expense of which, apart from the plants, 

 (which might be about 2s. 6d. per hundred) would be a mere 

 trifle, particularly where sand and leaves or rotten dung can 

 easily be had. I may remark that I much prefer the single line 

 method of culture to beds, chiefly on account of the greater 

 facility in the subsequent management, and because the plants 

 derive more equal nutriment from the artificial surface that is 

 gradually forming. The produce of two rows so treated I 

 have found fully equal in quantity to any one bed with three 

 lines, besides being much superior in quality. 



SUMMER TREATMENT. 



This is an important matter in Asparagus culture. Th® 

 plantation being finished, as has just been described, a 

 good watering or two, should the weather be very dry, 



uuldj towards May, be advisable. In May, when the short 

 grass-mowing begins, a portion of it is to be brought to the 

 A cparagus lines, and shaken in between, quite to the necks of 

 the plants — say, so as to fill up the hollow spaces between 

 nearly level, when a section of the plantation would, at this 

 time, appear thus : — The object of this application, which must 



short grass. Lhort grass. short grass. 



ridge. ridge. ridge. ridge. 



be renewed about once every month during the summer, will 

 be at once evident, namely — the retention of moisture, and the 

 production of vegetable food ; and the slight fermentation that 

 accompanies the decomposition greatly accelerates the growth 



