Page:The family kitchen gardener - containing plain and accurate descriptions of all the different species and varieties of culinary vegetables (IA familykitchengar56buis).pdf/27

 nure; the alleys must be dug spade deep, at the same time spreading some soil over the manure on the beds, and leveling the whole evenly. It may be supposed that the annual dressing in this way will in a few years considerably raise the beds; but by the Spring forking and raking, together with the hoeing and dressing during Summer, a considerable portion of the earth is being continually drawn again into the alleys.

As soon as the frost is fairly out of the ground in the Spring, loosen the surface of the beds with a fork, introducing it three or four inches into the soil, turning up the earth with care not to wound the crown of the roots. Then make the surface of the beds even and equal, drawing off the rough earth, stones, &e., into the alleys; finish by stretching a line along the edge of the beds, and trim them neatly off with the spade. Stirring the bed in this manner enables the shoots to rise in free growth; admits the air, rain, and sunshine into the ground, and encourages the roots to produce buds of a strong size. A full crop may be expected the fourth season after planting. The proper method of cutting them is to scrape a little of the carth away from each shoot; then, with a sharp-pointed, long-bladed knife, cut off the shoot slantingly, about three inches under the surface, taking care not to wound the younger buds that are advancing below in different stages of growth. It is in the best state for cutting when it is four inches above ground, and while the top remains close and round. The cutting should never extend beyond the middle of June.

Asparagus beds, with good culture, will continue to give bountiful crops for twelve or fifteen years. It is frequently forced on dung hot-beds, and in the hands of the initiated, with great success; but to go into the general minutiæ of foreing vegetables, would take us entirely beyond cur limits; a few hints however, will give an idea of the operation. Propare a hot-bed of two lights, in the way we have direeted for cucumbers, about two feet high at back and twenty inches in front. Cover it with four inches of soil; lay thereon roots that are at