8 THE BOOK OF ASPARAGUS 



as to disturb the manure which was previously dug in. 

 After so doing, leave it for the weeds to germinate, and 

 when they appear harrow the ground, or with a large- 

 toothed rake disturb the soil a few inches deep, and 

 again leave it. In like manner, if possible, allow the 

 next crop of weeds to start, and proceed again as before. 

 Otherwise, long before the young plants appear, the beds 

 will be covered with weeds, as indeed is the case with 

 most seed-beds. It is really impossible to be too careful 

 at this stage, as precautions taken now will save much 

 trouble later on. 



Work the land down so that no clods are buried under- 

 neath, though the kind of soil specially adapted for 

 asparagus culture will scarcely allow of such. Lumpy 

 soil, if treated as suggested, will crumble at the least 

 touch, and this is what seeds of all kinds like. In 

 March all seeds, if a good day can be secured, should 

 be sown in the afternoon. In the morning a rake 

 should be roughly passed over all ground intended for 

 sowing, and the soil will then on a sunny day be in 

 beautiful order in the afternoon for drawing drills. If 

 no earth adhere to the boots, it is an indication that the 

 soil is in good condition, 



Sowing the Seed 



Whatever seed you may require, get your supply 

 from a good source. Avoid cheap seeds of all things. 

 I would not wilfully sow a doubtful seed whether 

 received from a friend or from a member of the trade. 

 I know a little about the seed trade and also something 

 of friends. Don't waste a season rather than spend 

 an extra shilling on good reliable seeds. I have never 

 really grasped the meaning of the word cheap ; it is a 

 word which seems to mean that you are getting your 



