The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-24


during the first year consists in loosening
the soil at frequent intervals, and es-
pecially as soon after rain as the ground
becomes dry enough for cultivation.
writes F. NJ. Hexamer in Asrculturist
frequent and thorough cultivation is
necessary not only to keep down the
weeds, but also to prevent the formation
OF crust on the soil after rain, and to
provide mulch of loose earth for the
retention OF moisture. In field culture
the work is best done with a one horse
cultivator or a wheel hoe; and on a
small scale with scuffle hoe and a rake.
AS the sprouts grow up small quantities
OF hne soil should be drawn into the
trenches from time to time but during
the early part of the season great care
must be exercised not to cover the crowns
too deeply
Some growers advise to work the soi9
away instead of toward the plants, con-
sldering the four inches of soil with
which the roots are covered at planting
sufficient for the first year. While this
may be true in wet or moderately moist
summer, in a season of drought the adj
ditional mulch of mellow soil cannot be
beneficial to the young and tender plants
Especial care is required when working
around the young sprouts, so as not TO
cover, break or in any way injure any
or them. Another important work in the
asparagus bed during the first year, is
to keep close and constant watch over
the asparagus beetle and at It's first ap-
pearance to apply the proper remedies
If the rows are not less than four feet
apart, crop of some other vegetable may
be raised between them. Beans, dwarf
peas lettuce, beets, or any kinds which
do not spread much are suitable for the
purpose. These by-products Will help
considerably towards paying the cost of
cultivating the main crop, besides having
a tendency to keep the soil cool and moist
a condition of no little importance to the
asparagus.
The treatment of the asparagus planta-
ton during the second year does not diff
fer materially from that of the first sea-
son after planting. The ground has to be
stirred frequently and kept scrupulously
clean and sharp lookout must be kept
for the advent of injurious insects AS
soon as berries appear on the tops they
should be stripped off and destroyed, as
the ripening seed absorbs large share of
the nourishment which ought to go to The
development and strengthening of the
crowns which are to produce the follow
ing years crop.
The third year. cutting may begin in a
moderate way, but too much should not
be attempted. II all the conditions of
growth have been favorable half crop
may be cut without injuring the roots,
but under no circumstances should cut
tings in the third year be continued for
more than three weeks. The general care
of the bed during the third year is, SINH
lar to that of the second, with the excep-
ton that the soil is worked more toward
the rows ridging them slightly.
In the spring of the third and each sue
ceeding year. as soon as the ground can
the rows, turning the soil toward and
over the crowns leaving a
dead furrow between the rows. If
bleached asparagus is desired, these
ridges over the rows should be several
inches higher than the bottom of the
dead burrows between the rows. For
green asparagus the ridges are left lower
or dispensed with altogether, and the
shoots are allowed to grow several inches
above the ground before cutting.
Immediately after the cutting season
is over the ridges are leveled by blowing
a furrow from each side of the center,
after which the land is narrowed cross
wise until the surface is level and
smooth. AS long practical surface Gull
tivation should be given, especially after
rains but usually at the time, the plants
make such rapid and vigorous growth
that there will be little time for the work
Their tops and branches soon fill the en-
tire space and quickly shade the ground
so densely as to keep down weed growth.
OF course whatever tall weeds may spring
up here and there have to be pulled out
by hand
The fall clearing of the plantation is an
impor tant part of asparagus culture. As
soon as the berries have turned red-but
not before-the stalks should be cut off
even with the ground If left longer the
berries will drop Off their seeds will soon
become imbedded in the ground and fill
the soil with seedlings asparagus plants.
which are about the most obstinate weed
in the asparagus bed. If cut sooner, they
are not sufficiently matured, and the roots
are deprived OF their nourishment. All the
brush should be removed at once to on
open field, and burned. so as not to pro-
vide lodging places for injurious insects
and ftpot