The Forrest City times., 1892-04-01
THE FARMERS COLUMN.
VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS ABOUT
 FARM WORK,
How to Make an Asparagus Bed-- Flowing Experiments--F Feed ing Straw to Cattle.
 Other Valuable In-
 formation.
How to Make an Asparagus Bed.


 How to Make an Asparagus Bed.
 What time used to be made over the preparation of an asparagus bed, to be surel Deep and laborious trenching and carloads of manure, involving great amount of heavy toll and large expense, were deemed essential to success in raising the sue. culent vegetable. But most of this was entirely unnecessary, results as satisfactory being obtaned at little of the expense and very much less la- bor.
 It is true, however, that the land for an asparagus bed cannot be too rich. It must also be free from stag nant water, dry and warm. If at all inclined to be wet, it should be tile drained-in fact, it would be well to underdrain in any case.
 If it is desired to have an asparagus bed quickly, plants should bcpurchas' ed, not more than year old, if they cal be obtained, as vigorous, well. grown plants of that age are as good as those of two years growth, and less apt to be stunted.
 But those who have an asparagus bed already growing, and want to plant another, can afford to wait a year and raise plants of their own Asparagus seed should be sown In rich, mellow earth early in the spring in rows about fifteen inches apart They should be an ipch apart in the rows, and covered about an inch deep
 The first seasons care consists sim. ply in keeping the soil mellow and free from weeds. The following spring tho plants should be set out in the per manent bed prepared for them. | It is some trouble, of course, to raise ones own plants, and causes tht delay of year if one has not a bed already. But it is the best way, pro vided proper care is taken O them, to get plants, because they vii usually be better than those obtained I in the market; and besides they car remain undisturbed in their origlna bed until the time arrives for trans planting.
 One of the most important points l to be observed in setting out thu plants is to give them plenty of elbow room. They will give better crops and provide them earlier in the sea son than if closely crowded. As these suggestions are for farmers, witt whom saving of space is of less conse ouence than saving of time and la 1 Dor, we would advise making the rowi not less than four feet apart and set | ting the plants two and a half to thre' feet apart in the rows, SO as to admit of cultivation with horse hoe botf ways. With so much space in whict to grow, the roots, if strong at he be ginning, will make a vigorous growth
 It is not now considered essential nor, indeed, advis o, to set thu plants as deep as formerly rec commended. Three or four inches is deep enough. Mark oi the rows at the distance Tn dicated above with common corn marker, and set the plants wher the lines cross, carefully spreading ou the roots and ''firming" the soil abov' them. As the plants are to remain long time, it is worth while to do tn job thoroughly and well.
 Asparagus is wholesome an' agreeable vegetable, and every farn should have bed of it for home con sumption. But, grown in the practi cal way above described, it may b made a source of considerable profit for large, tender asparagus shoot command good price in the market The best quality is.always sure of quick sale at a handsome figure.