1906.] The Cultivation of Asparagus. 155 



has a damp subsoil, it must be drained, if possible, before the 

 beds are made. Any trees should be removed as they absorb 

 nourishment from the ground and the shade has a deterrent 

 effect on the growth of the plants. Where weeds are rank 

 and couch grass prevalent (the latter is especially injurious to 

 asparagus), the making of the beds should be deferred till the 

 ground has been thoroughly cleaned by the use of the plough 

 and harrow. An interval must then be allowed, so that the soil 

 may settle thoroughly. 



Making of the Beds. — The best position for the beds is 

 from north to south, if there is protection from the north winds ; 

 otherwise a position from east to west is preferable. The 

 most suitable soil is one which during the last two years has 

 been planted with potatoes, turnips or similar crops, and which 

 can be kept free from weeds. After the final gathering of the 

 previous crop, the land must be dressed with liquid manure, 

 horse or cow dung, and ploughed over, harrowed and rolled 

 before the winter. The beds should be made early in spring. 

 Experience shows that rows should be planted singly, as the 

 stalks grow thicker in this way, and prove very productive after 

 three or four years. The beds should be three-fourths of a yard 

 broad with a similar distance between them ; they are to be made 

 on the slant, so that they taper gradually. The best time for 

 planting the beds is when the young plants begin to sprout at 

 the beginning of the warm weather, from April to July. After 

 carefully stubbing the roots, they should be sorted and the 

 weakest thrown away. The main point is to select those only 

 which have a few strong shoots, even though the roots may be 

 weak. The roots must be planted 3 to 4 in. deep and about 2 ft. 

 apart, so that they will not be likely to suffer from the drought, 

 and the earth must be stamped down firmly, after which the 

 beds must be raked thoroughly till smooth. When the weeds 

 have died down in November, any remains must be dug down 

 into the earth and a dressing of dung 4 in. thick put on the top. 



The asparagus may be cut towards the end of April ; in the 

 cold weather once a day suffices, but in warm weather twice, in 

 order that the asparagus may be fresh and white. The stalks 

 must be cut off with a sharp knife, not pulled or broken off, 

 as this is most injurious to the plants. The opinion that the 



