Harvesting And Marketing

The chief labor in asparagus culture is the cutting and bunching. As it

is of the greatest importance that the work be done promptly and

expeditiously, it is desirable to have more help than is wanted merely

for the asparagus, and then, when the asparagus is ready for market,

they can go to hoeing and tilling other crops. Five acres in full

bearing will require from six to eight men from four to six hours per

day to do the cutting and three or four to do the bunching. A successful

farmer in western New York, who has four acres of asparagus, employs

eight or ten boys and girls, for from three to six hours per day, to do

the cutting and three women to bunch it. The women are paid by the

bunch, and work five to ten hours per day. Piecework, if properly done,

is nearly always cheaper than day work, and is better for the employes

and the employer.