Growers are interested in the feasibility of the establishment of commercial asparagus plantings by direct seeding as well as by the crown planting method presently used. The direct seeding of asparagus, although not a new idea, has not been used extensively because of many cultural difficulties. However, it does offer the possibility of the rapid establishment of commercial plantings at lower initial cost with higher plant densities than are now being used.

Mr. H. Armstrong developed the equipment discussed in this paper and assisted with the study.