On a Method of Growing Asparagus in single Rows. 391 



commended others to make, have been at three and a half 

 feet distance row from row. The plants are planted at nine 

 inches apart in the rows ; the ground has no further prepara- 

 tion previously to planting than being dug or trenched to its 

 full depth, and well manured with rotten cow-dung. The 

 young plantation you saw at Redbraes, has only been made two 

 years, and was so strong as to admit of being partially cut the 

 second year. Mr. Dickson prefers planting in July to spring, 

 and with seedlings of the preceding season. I venture to give it 

 as my opinion, that the produce from two single rows planted 

 in the way described, will both in quantity and quality (but 

 particularly the last) be found superior to three rows of equal 

 length planted in beds in the usual way ; the ease and facility 

 with which the heads are cut is likewise in favour of the row 

 system. I may further add, that in our northern climate, it is 

 of moment that the plants should have all possible benefit of 

 the sun's rays, that the roots may be well ripened and pre- 

 pared to shoot vigorously in spring ; and I need not point 

 out to you that this will be better obtained by the plants 

 growing in distant rows, than when they are crowded in beds 

 in the usual way. 



I am, Sir, 

 Your^very obedient servant, 



Andrew Dickson. 



Edinburgh, 

 \ 2th March, I82«, 



