ASPARAGUS. 
15 
them.. Permit tie entire crop the first two years, and the greater part of it 
the third year, to run up to stalks. It is a common practice to sow onions, 
lettuce, &c. the first two years. Mr. Loudon, however, says, “ the advan¬ 
tage of this practice is questionable ; and, at all events, it should not be con¬ 
tinued after the plants are in full bearing.” 
Time of cutting .—“ If you plant roots, the shoots may be cut the second 
year after; if seeds, they will not be fit to cat till the third year. All the 
shoots, which come up before the middle of June, may be cut off without 
injuring the roots; after which time, the late shoots should be left to run up, 
and go to seed; otherwise the roots will be weakened.”— Deane. 
Cutting and gathering .—“ In new plantations, be careful not to begin cut¬ 
ting till the stools have become mature, or the third or fourth year. Like¬ 
wise observe, both in old and new beds, to gather all the produce in a regu¬ 
lar, successive order, within the proper limits of the season. As the rising 
shoots project two, three, four or five inches, at most, above the ground, 
while the top bud remains close and plump, they are in the best condition 
for gathering. Cut them off within the ground, with a narrow, sharp-point¬ 
ed knife, or small saw, nine inches long; thrusting the knife or saw down 
straight, close to each shoot separately, cut it off slantingly, about three 
inches below the surface, with care not to wound the young buds advancing 
below. Observe in a new plantation, in the first year’s gathering, if the 
shoots come up of irregular sizes, to cut only some of the larger for a fort¬ 
night, or three or four weeks, and then permit the whole to run; but other¬ 
wise when in strong production, gather all as they come, two or three times 
a week, or as required during the season, till the 21st of June; then, at 
furthest, terminate the cutting, and permit the after-shoots to run up in stalk 
till October. If, from a particular inducement, you cut later than the 21st 
of June, be careful to leave two or more shoots to each stool, in order to 
draw nourishment to it; for the stools left without growing shoots will per¬ 
ish ; and, by negligence in this respect, many vacuities or unproductive spots 
are left in beds.” 
Shaker method .—“ Beds should be made as soon as the ground is clear from 
frost—the first part of April, in ordinary seasons. The ground must be well 
worked to the depth of a spade blade, and intimately mixed with rotted 
horse-manure. The seeds should then be sowed in rows or drills, twenty 
inches apart, and one inch deep, the rows crosswise of the beds. They 
should be raked in lengthwise of the rows. 
“Asparagus will be large enough to begin to cut the third spring after it 
is sowed. It may be cut un 11 the 20tli June every year afterwards. As 
soon as the cutting season is over, hoe it over lightly, so as to loosen the soil 
and make the surface even. Every other year, spread on each bed an inch 
layer of good yard-manure before hoeing. The tops will now grow to a 
great size, and mostly seed weV Early in the spring, cut the dry tops close 
