36 
AfePARAGUS. 
the edge ; then, wiii a spade, cut out a small trench or drill 
close to the line, about six inches deep, making that side 
next the line nearly upright ; when one trench is opened, 
plant that before you open another, placing the plants upright 
ten or twelve inches distant in the row, and let every row 
be twelve inches apart. 
The plants must not be placed flat in the bottom of the 
trench, but nearly upright against the back of it, and so that 
the crown of the plants may also stand upright, and two or 
three inches below the surface of the ground, spreading their 
roots somewhat regularly against the back of the trench, and 
at the same time drawing a little earth up against them with 
the hand as you place them, just to fix the plants in their due 
position until the row is planted ; when one row is thus 
placed, with a rake or hoe draw the earth into the trench 
over the plants, and then proceed to open another drill or 
trench, as before directed ; and fill and cover it in the same 
manner, and so on till the whole is planted ; then let the sur- 
face of the beds be raked smooth and clear from stones, &c. 
Some gardeners, with a view to have extra large heads, 
place their plants sixteen inches apart in the rows, instead of 
twelve ; and by planting them in the quincunx manner, that 
is, by commencing the second row eight inches from the end 
of the first, and the fourth even with the second, the plants 
will form rhomboidal squares, instead of rectangular ones, 
and every plant will thus have room to expand its roots and 
leaves luxuriantly.* 
*The above directions are intended for family gardens. Those who 
may wish to raise Asparagus in large quantities for market, should prepare 
the ground with a plough, and plant two rows in each bed, which may be 
carried to any length required. If several beds are wanted, they may be 
planted in single rows four or five feet apart, in order that the plough may 
be worked freely between them. Frequent ploughing will cause the roots 
to spread, so as to widen the beds, and the winter dressing may be per- 
formed in a great measure with the plough. After the Asparagus is cut, 
the ground between the beds may be ploughed, and planted with Cabbage, 
Potatoes, or any other vegetable usually cultivated in rows ^ 
