Again I substantiate my position by
quoting from the well-known gardener and writer, Mr. Joseph
Harris: "The old directions for planting an asparagus bed were
well calculated to deter any one from making the attempt. I can
recollect the first I made. The labor and manure must have cost at
the rate of a thousand dollars an acre, and, after all was done,
no better results were obtained than we now secure at one-tenth of
the expense."
If the ground selected for the bed is a well-drained sandy loam,
is clean, free from sod, roots, stones, etc., I would give it a
top-dressing of six inches of good barnyard manure, which by
trenching or plowing I would thoroughly mix with the soil to the
depth of at least two feet. If the ground is not free from stones,
roots, and sod, I should put on the manure, as directed, in the
autumn, and begin on one side of the prospective bed and trench it
all over, mingling the fertilizer through the soil. The trencher
can throw out on the surface back of him every stone, root, and
weed, so that by the time he is through there is a sufficient
space of ground amply prepared.
On all soils except a wet, heavy clay I prefer autumn planting.
During the latter part of October or early November put in the
plants as explained above, or else make a straight trench that
will give room for the spreading of the roots, and leave the
crowns between three and four inches below the surface.
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