Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-08-13
EMBANKMENTS,

How Their Washing Away May Bo Pre-
vented-Tho Use OF Asparagus Advised.
Various devices have been tried TO
prevent the washing away Of railroad
embankments, cutting sides and other
unsodded soil surfaces by freshets and
heavy rain torrents, but no complete
preventive has yet been discovered that
am aware Of l. have seen the various
sorts of willows tried, but the roots of
the willows are too coarse to prevent
small currents passing between them
under the main stem. Brush laid at
the bottom Of gulleys and washouts has
been tried, but it rots in such situations,
though it would last several years Il
constantly submerged OF various sorts
Of grasses tried to prevent exposed sur
faces from washing away. Canadian
friend tells me that blue grass. with its
numerous interlacing roots, Is the best
TO prevent washing away that he has
found, after much experimenting in
this matter.
Ten or dozen years ago | noticed
that the rooI Of asparagus penetrated
very deep, throwing out many fine roots
rs laterals, corresponding TO the nu-
merOus, fine. thread-like branches de-
yeloped in its top growth. The long
roots Of this plant penetrate two b. four
feet deep aud ramlfy TO as wide an ex-
tent Thus. when the plants are thick,
asparagus supplies intorlacing roots In
great abundance, ans by seeding thick
this plant can be easily made to tn the
soil with roots sufficiently so TO pre-
vent any small currents from washing
the soil from among them. As fine,
decp-grOwing roots In abundance can
be secured by thick seeding. il appears
that in given quantity Of soil--as a
cubic yard as many aud as fine roots
rs may be desired are easily obtainabe
IL Is true blue grass makes an excellent
sod, but II does not root half rs deep as
asparagus, is not so easy 20 handle. and
blue grass seed can only be seeded on
the surface and raked In or covered
with hand-harrow.
Asparagus seed can be dbbled in
very rapidly aud covered with garden
rake a. follows; Make a small harrow
frame, with the beams one and one-half
inches apart, with five or six beams Sc
cured by crOss-iies. In these beams
wood teeth, similar 10 hay-rake teeth,
three-quartors OF an inch thick, can ba
inserted five or six inches apart, with a
suitable handle. This dibber can be
used 10 make twenty-five holes one inch
1eep every time II is set down. In this
way a large surface OF bare soil, on tho
sides OF a railway cmbankment or cut
Ting, for instance, can be rapidly per-
meated with shallow holes, ready 10 re-
ceive the asparagus seed The area to
be planted being made ready by tho
dibbler, sow the seed by hand and
enough Of II will drop ln or be raked
into the shallow holes 10 secure n good
stand II should he carefully covered
with garden-rake and the surface
smoothed with the back OF largo
shovel or large piece Of board with a
handle on, or with garden-roller on
oOur.e n seed-drill can be used. II at
hand, the method suggested being for
cases where no drill Is available. II
asparagus seed be planted early IN
spring ID win root deeply by midsum-
mer. 30 as not 10 DO injured by drought,
and this plant is so hardy that II has
not been injured even BY tho severity Of
last winter.
OF course any slopes on steep sur
faccSs such As the banks OF small
streams, or railway cuttings and en-
bankments. should be prepared BY till.
ing holes, small wash outs. etc, and
smoothing over before dibbling or seed.
Ing. and Il appears 10 the writer that q
miniature forest Of green plants. COM
pletely iilllng the soil with roots and
keeping Il moist BY shading. would give
beautiful yernal aspect during much
Of tho summer, while permanently pro.
venting tho damage. --IeiVa Cor. Corn.
lrg 0eaf cnio,h