UNDERDRAINING. 177 



omit the fountains to arise amidst stately and dignified pears, or 

 portly apples growing aloft, yielding a large percentage of 

 pleasure to be added to the more popular dividends previously 

 enumerated. 



The lot, too, was well situated to be irrigated, whenever our 

 agricultural teachers — the editors — can produce testimony that 

 such investments are equivalent to government bonds. 



In buying a residence, there are many things to be considered 

 besides health, which is of first importance. It is a custom to 

 look for good neighbors, so if one drops a spade or a crow-bar, 

 it will not be snatched up immediately, and buried until the 

 excitement is past. It would be pleasant to be able to tell your 

 friends just where you live on an aristocratic street, and next 

 door to Judge Hard pan's ; and that the hourly will leave you at 

 the gate. To say that you live in Brunswick, that your post- 

 office is South Durham, and your express packages must be left 

 at Freeport, requires a long memory, or the names and offices 

 might frequently be transposed, and your business correspond- 

 ingly. And finally one is careful to ask the owner why he 

 wishes to sell his property, if there are slaughter-pens, or any 

 other indispensable establishments — commonly called nuisances 

 — situated near him. 



Buying a place for a commercial garden, requires many, if 

 not all, of the above requisites, and some in addition. That it 

 might not be too far from town, all of our rambles were made 

 on foot. The main street was esteemed a valuable consideration 

 on account of its publicity and ease of access. How few people 

 know of your business and locality may seem surprising. Were 

 we permitted to carry on our business here successfully for ten 

 years, with name constantly and daily advertised, and on the 

 most prominent thoroughfare, it is doubtful if one-half of the 

 people of this city would know, at the end of that time, where 

 we were located, or that such an establishment existed. 



Having decided upon the locality, and completed the purchase 

 early in October, underdraining, which had previously been 

 determined upon, if accomplished that autumn, must be com- 

 menced without delay. Accordingly, men were engaged to do 

 the ditching, and tiles were purchased. The latter were all of 

 the sole pattern, which are in all respects superior to the open, 

 or horse shoe tile ; but my later experience is in favor of the 



23* 



