ASPARAGUS CULTURE. 
441 
are better than two, and two better than three, for a permanent 
bed. 
In the spring following the first year of planting, a little 
•earth should be placed on the beds or rows, as the case may be, 
leaf mould, or thoroughly decayed manure, being well incor- 
porated with it. The following spring some more mould, say 
4 or 5 in., should be appHed. If success has attended our 
•efforts this, the third year, we may gather some of the best 
heads from the strongest stools, and the bed will require no 
iarfclier attention this year, except to be kept free from weeds. 
The following winter, about November, take three parts of the 
mould from off the beds, and expose it to the influence of the 
weather, replacing it again in February. This, the fourth year, 
we may cut a full crop of Asparagus, and so in perpetuity, if the 
beds or rows are carefully attended to. 
Some people advocate the system of sowing the seed where it 
is to remain for a permanent crop, and although something may 
be said in its favour, still it is not to be compared to planted beds, 
as blanks are sure to occur among the seedlings and the crop 
will not be so regular as by the former method. 
It should be understood by all Asparagus growers that the 
plant forms its buds for the following year during the summer. 
A ready illustration of this may be made by placing the four 
fingers and thumb round a piece of pencil, the pencil repre- 
senting the growing Asparagus, the buds forming themselves 
round it for the following year. If cutting is continued too late, 
these buds, which should be perfecting themselves for the 
following year, are thrown up prematurely by the plants, and 
smaller buds are formed in their place. The foliage, which dies 
down about November, should be removed and burned, spreading 
the ashes on the beds, w^hicli, as before mentioned, should be 
partially levelled. 
If green Asparagus only is required, it will not be necessary 
to earth up the beds to anything like the extent before recom- 
mended. A few inches of earth only need be thrown on the beds 
or rows in such case. But the earthing-up system has many 
advantages ; first, the heads are much tenderer, whiter, and 
improved in flavour ; secondly, it protects the buds from the 
early spring frosts, and from the influence of the light and 
atmosphere. Indeed, in my opinion, it is something like Seakale, 
H 
