216 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
formed. Voorliees and others believe that the plants 
are benefited by early spring applications, especially if 
green shoots are produced. On the other hand, we must 
not lose sight of the fact that next year’s crop is mainly 
dependent upon this year’s top and root development. Large 
tops and strong roots mean heavy shoots next year. 
If seeds and plants have been selected intelligently and 
all cultural conditions are favorable, the following treat- 
ment should give excellent results: Apply io to 15 tons 
of fine manure early in the spring, or probably with as 
much benefit immediately after the cutting season ; one 
and one-half tons of a 4-8-10 mixture, half applied in 
early spring and half immediately after the last cutting; 
150 pounds of nitrate of soda by broadcasting as soon as 
growth begins in the spring; 150 pounds of nitrate of 
soda when the cutting season is half over; 150 pounds of 
nitrate of soda at the close of the cutting season and the 
same quantity one month later. 
Common salt was used in large amounts on asparagus 
beds until quite recently. It possesses no fertilizing 
value, and although it draws some moisture and is in- 
jurious to weeds, its use is no longer considered an 
advantage by successful commercial growers. 
278. Planting distances. — When the most intensive 
methods are followed, the rows are made closer together 
than when the crop is grown on a large scale. It is held 
by many growers that close planting necessarily results 
in smaller shoots, but this is not the case with skillful 
intensive gardeners. More space between rows is obvi- 
ously required when high ridging, is necessary to grow 
the white shoots, although French producers of white 
spears plant as closely as most American growers of 
green shoots. Wide planting is also favorable to con- 
venient cultivating, and plants and roots will not begin 
to crowd so soon. Therefore the plantation should be 
profitable during a longer period of years. On the other 
