168 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



are withered, cut theui down and spread well-rotted stable 

 dung over the bed two inches deep, which will increase 

 the vigor of the plants the next year, and also protect 

 them from frost. 



Let the plants remain in the seed-bed until they are 

 about to grow early in spring. To have this delicacy as 

 early as possible, choose a site where the bed can be fully 

 exposed to the sun. If you wish to prolong its season, 

 another bed may be planted on a northern exposure. The 

 subsoil should be dry, and if not naturally so, must be 

 well drained. It must be dug up thoroughly at least two 

 and a half feet deep, the poor soil removed, and its place 

 supplied with rich, light loam. 



After taking out the soil, the bottom should be covered 

 with at least six inches of well-rotted manure, as this can 

 never be reached after the roots are once planted. Inter- 

 mix as much more throughout the bed, except the top 

 four or five inches, as the manure should not come in con- 

 tact with the fresh roots. Bury your manure and mix it 

 well throughout the whole depth, as you can hardly make 

 the ground too rich. Asparagus will grow, it is true, 

 without all this trouble, but the size, sweetness, and ten- 

 derness of the shoots, will pay for doing the work in the 

 best manner. 



The upper five inches should be light, rich, sandy loam 

 mixed with leaf-mould, and the top left as light as possi- 

 ble. So manured and deeply dug, the plants will send 

 down their roots too deeply to fear a drought. The plants 

 should be carefully taken up with a fork, and the roots 

 preserved uninjured. Select mild, cloudy weather, when 

 the ground is in good working order, for it must not be 

 wet. Lay the roots separately and carefully together, 

 that they may not be entangled and injured while plant- 

 ing ; keep them, while planting, in a basket covered with 

 a little mould. 



Plant your first row by straining a line eight inches 



