Occupations > Abercrombie's improved practical gardener; with a monthly calendar for the flower garden

ASPARAGUS.
58
roots being brittle are easily broken, and do not
readily shoot out again.—Asparagus may be
planted from the beginning of March to the end
of May, with success, but not equally so, the best
time being just when the plants are beginning to
grow, for if they were removed earlier the plants
would lie a length of time in the ground as it
were in a dormant state, and the roots being
ratter of a Succulent nature would absorb a con-
sidefalSfe quantity of moisture, which would cause
them to rot, whereby the whole plant would be
destroyed; and if removed after that time, the
power of the sUn and air would greatly injure
them, unless care be taken and the roots put into
a basket with some sand as they are taken np.
After this is done, and the ground being previ¬
ously prepared as above, stretch a line lengthwise
the bed, nine inches from the edge, and with a
spade cut out a trench six inches deep, perpen¬
dicular next to the line, turning the soil to the
other or outer side of the trench; then, having
the plants in readiness, set a row along the
trench, nine inches apart, with the crowns of
the roots two inches below the surface; then
move the line a foot and open a second trench,
turning the soil taken out into the first over the
plants, and so proceed, making an allowance of
three feet betwixt every four rows for alleys.
Should the weather prove dry at the time, give
a little water to settle the soil to the roots, and
repeat it until the plants become established.