rected for the two
previous years. Some cultivators make a slight cutting during this
season; but the future strength of the plants will be increased by
allowing the crop to grow naturally as during the first and second
years. In autumn, cut and burn as before; dig over the surface; add a
dressing of manure; and, in the ensuing spring, the beds may be cut
freely for use.

Instead of transplanting the roots, asparagus-beds are sometimes formed
by sowing the seeds where the plants are to remain. When this method is
adopted, the beds should be laid out and trenched, as before directed,
and about three inches of soil removed from the entire surface. The seed
should then be sown in drills an inch deep, at the distances marked out
for the rows, and covered with rich, light soil. When the seedlings are
two or three inches high, they should be thinned to nine or twelve
inches apart; and, in thinning, the weakest plants should be removed. In
the autumn, cut down the plants after they have withered, stir and
smooth the surface, and add a dressing of manure. In the spring of the
second year, stir the surface again; and, during the summer, cultivate
as before. In the autumn, the plants will be ready for the dressing;
which consists of the soil previously taken from the bed, with
sufficient well-digested compost added to cover the crowns of the roots
five or six inches in depth. The after-culture is similar to that of
beds from transplanted roots.

"Asparagus-beds should be enriched every autumn with a liberal
application of good compost containing some mixture of salt; the benefit
of which will be evident, not only in the quantity, but in the size and
quality, of the produce. The dressing should be applied after the
removal of the decayed stalks, and forked in, that its enriching
properties may be washed to the roots of the plants by winter rains.

"In general, transplanted Asparagus comes up quite slender the first
year; is larger the second; and, the third year, a few shoots may be fit
for cutting. It is nearly in perfection the fourth year; and, if
properly managed, will annually give an abundant supply during the life
of the maker of a bed or plantation."

_Cutting._--"The shoots should be cut angularly, from two to three
inches below the surface of the ground; taking care not to wound the
younger buds. It is in the best condition for cutting when the shoots
are four or five inches above ground, and while the head, or bud,