30 JOHNSON & STOKES 
Treatment. — The spring treatment of an asparagus bed in 
profit begins with a light plowing parallel with the rows, 
great care being observed to use a wheel on the plow so that 
not more than a few inches of soil may be turned, lest the 
crowns be cut and injured. The bed then lies until the cut- 
ting season is well advanced, when the plow may be again 
used. 
The first plowing was merely to break the surface of the 
ground and turn under the winter coat of manure, leaving 
the land level. The second plowing (if given) is to be to- 
ward the rows, for the purpose of throwing them further 
under the surface, so as to get larger shoots as warm 
weather advances. 
Another plowing, very shallow, followed by harrow or 
cultivator, should be given at the end of the cutting season, 
in June, to destroy all weeds and to encourage summer 
growth of the asparagus. 
The patch should be kept clear of weeds during - the 
summer, and growth encouraged by cultivation. In the late 
autumn the tops are mowed off and burned, as there seems 
to be no economic way of composting them, for, if moved 
to the compost heap or barnyard, they will seed the whole 
farm with asparagus. There should be a good coat of 
manure for winter protection, to be turned under in early 
spring, as already mentioned. 
Marketing. — The preparation of the crop for market 
involves some time and trouble. The shoots are cut every 
day. Some growers do the work early in the morning, and 
carry the bunches to market the same day. Others cut and 
bunch one day, put in water over night and carry to mar- 
ket the following day. Circumstances must decide which is 
best. 
If asparagus is to be shipped long distances, it must 
either be packed in open crates (like strawberry crates), or 
