ASPARAGUS. 



25 



chafing,) which often accompany it, particularly if the 

 roots be brought from a distance." 



Extent of the plantation. — An asparagus compartment 

 should not contain less than a pole of ground, as it often 

 needs this quantity to furnish a good dish at one time. For 

 a large family, about sixteen rods are kept in a productive 

 state, which are calculated to furnish, on an average, be- 

 tween two hundred and three hundred shoots every day hi 

 the height of the season. — iVei/Z, in Ed. Encyc. 



Progressive culture. — In the month of March or April, 

 (during the whole existence of the plant,) the beds must 

 be carefully forked and dressed, and kept clear of weeds. 

 Occasional waterings are necessary, till the third or fourth 

 year, wnen the plants will be sufficiently established to do 

 without them. Permit the entire crop the two first years, 

 and the greater part of it the third year, to run up to stalks. 

 It is a common practice to sow onions, lettuce, &c. the two 

 first years. Mr. Loudon, however, says, " the advantage 

 of this practice is questionable ; and, at all events, it should 

 not be continued after the plants are in full bearing." 



Asparagus beds should be completely loosened to u mod- 

 erate depth, every spring, as soon as the frost is out of the 

 ground, with a proper fork, having three short tines, six to 

 eight or nine inches long. But care must be taken not to 

 go too deep, so as to wound the crowns of the roots. The 

 beds, being loosened in every part to a moderate depth, 

 should be raked even, before the buds begin to advance 

 In autumn, after the tops are turned white by the frost, 

 they should be cleared off, and a layer of dung, or rich 

 soil, an inch thick, laid over the bed. This should be done 

 yearly, and the bed kept clear of weeds. If the bed should 

 get too high by this management, the surface may be taken 

 off vv^ith a spade, early in the spring, to the depth of twc 

 inches, before the young shoots are in the way. But wher 

 this is done, a thin dressing of rotten dung or compost 

 should be laid on. This plant, according to Beane^s N. 

 E. Farmer^ grows well in ground that is shaded. The 

 sprouts will be very large and tender ; but they will not be 

 so early. It is not amiss to have one bed in a shady place, 

 to supply the table, after the season is over for cutting the 

 first. ^ 



Ti^ne of cutting. — " If you plant roots, the snoots may be 

 3 



