!0* 0T 'ESCULENTS. SECT. XV, 



other manure than a mixture of all thefe were ufed 

 through the whole work, it were better. As afparagus 

 beds are defigned to laft many years, (fuppofe twelve 

 or fifteen) no pains fhould be fpared to do the work 

 well; and if the ground were prepared fbmetime before 

 hand, or in winter, it would be an advantage, the top 

 foil laying trenched for the benefit of froft, The alleys y 

 as well as the beds, fhould be made good, for the roots 

 of the outer rows will ftrike into them. A rich fandy 

 loam is the bell foil for afparagus, and if the earth is 

 too heavy, or too light, rectify it. The flronger the 

 foil, the higher the beds fhould lie above the alley, and 

 more rounded; and in very light foils they fhould lie 

 fiat, or rather finking, to catch the rain. 



To plant beds of afparagus fet the line nine inches 

 from the edge of the bed, and cut the trench upright^ 

 clofe to it, fo deep that the crowns of the roots lie full 

 two inches below the fuiface. If rhe mould of the 

 bed lies light, and is likely to fettle much, the crowns 

 of the plants may come very near the top, and two 

 inches or mould put on a'terwarcls, which is indeed the 

 belt method of planting; but if the ground is not ex- 

 pected to fettle, two inches of the top mould mult (in 

 this method) be firlt drawn afide to cover with. The 

 roots muit be neatly fpread again!! the trench, and cut 

 as iittle as pdffible; i. e. only the damaged parts off. 

 This fhould "be with a fharp knife, and it would be 

 better if done the day before they are ufed, that the 

 ends may dry and heal. It is of confequence to 

 have the plants dug up carefully, with a three pronged 

 fork, that the roots may not be injured. 



To Jow beds of afparagus, make little holes an inch 

 deep, at the djflance directed for plants, and having 

 laid three fine feeds in each, near an inch afunder, cover 

 them three-fourths of an inch, which will leave little 

 hollow to Ihew their places, and give occafional 

 watering in a dry time, to fetch them up. If the bed3 

 v.ere covered with a Utile haulm or ftraw, till the 

 i- plants 



