ASPARAGUS CULTURE. 



7 



stretch, and place the line tight from end to end, diciw a deep 

 drill with the hoe on each side of the line, thus leaving a little 

 ridge under the line, over which the planter should regulate 

 the roots of the plants on each side, putting in the earth to 

 cover them quickly as he proceeds. The hoe should be regu- 

 larly used during the remaining summer and autumn months, 

 care being taken to remove by the hand all weeds that come up 

 about the crowns. When the stalks are completely withered 

 in autumn, they should be cut down. Should the produce in 

 spring be required in a green state, which is decidedly the best, 

 an annual dressing of good manure slightly forked in should 

 be given every autumn after the haulm has been cut, and thus 

 left during the winter. In spring, before the buds begin to 

 push, the ground should be again slightly forked over three or 

 four times in dry weather, in order to lighten, pulverise, 

 sweeten, and lay it down in an open healthy state, and not in too 

 fine a condition, to get run together again immediately after 

 the first heavy rains, but open, loose, and rather rough, in 

 order to admit the sun's rays, atmospheric influence, and the 

 rain kindly ; such treatment not only forwards its progress, 

 but also allows it to grow freely, clean, and straight without 

 obstruction. 



AGE OP PLANTS POR TRANSPLANTING. 



For planting, cleanly-grown and sound two-year-old plants 

 are very generally preferred, although strong one-year-old 

 plants are equally good. The balance of evidence is, indeed, in 

 favour of well-grown one-year-old plants. The following 

 curious experiment by a trustworthy French cultivator deserves 

 consideration. 



" I planted (No. 1) twelve roots of a year old ; (No. 2), twelve 

 of two years old ; and (No. 3) twelve of three years old. The 

 results were as follows : — 



" First Year. — Of No. 1 all had made growth before May 4th, 

 and the vegetation was fine ; No. 2, ten plants started before 

 May 4th, one on the 10th, and the other failed. The shoots 

 were a little stronger than those of No. 1. No. 3, eight plants 

 started before May 4th, one on May 12th, and the other three 

 failed; and, although at first the shoots looked well, they 

 afterwards declined, and on September 15th they were feebler 

 than those of No. 2. 



" Second Year. — No. 1, fine vegetation; snoots strong and 

 regular on the 15th of September. No. 2, good growth; 

 shoots irregular, and a little feebler than those of No. 1. 



