202 THE FLOEAL WORLD AIS'D GARDEX GUIDE. 



outlay. Depend upon it", a small garden that can be well done will 

 give greater satisfaction, and will produce an equal amount of vege- 

 tables, as a large one that is only indifferently tilled. I am aware 

 that this kind of reasoning may not meet with the approbation it 

 deserves by those who are yet unacquainted with the responsi- 

 bilities of a villa residence; because I admit without any reluctance 

 that I was not myself a convert to the same opinion, only to a 

 certain extent, until I was called upon to supply the wants of a 

 family, iu a neighbourhood where land was selling, not many hundred 

 yards distant, at £1000 per acre ; and, as I have nothing to fear in 

 making public the result of my experience, I honesth' confess that a 

 few years' practice in a limited space taught me more of the true 

 principles to be observed in conducting the work of a kitchen- 

 garden, than did fifteen years' previous experience in places where 

 an unlimited space was at command. 



Soils and Deaixage. — On these two subjects I shall say but 

 little ; for the same remarks apply to soils as to positions, for it is but 

 seldom there is any choice. Nevertheless, I may remark that a lightish 

 loam, resting on gravel, is the most suitable. Drainage is only 

 absolutely required in low situations, and in soils that are more or 

 less of a calcareous or clayey nature, 



TnE Imphoyement of Soils. — The ultimate success of the 

 gard^'U will depend entirely upon the nature of the soil. If it be a 

 lightish loam, as just recommended, with a dry subsoil, then a proper 

 course of culture will produce favourable results. But if it be more 

 of a clayey texture, with a close under surface, then the addition of 

 chalk, coal-ashes, lime, burnt earth, and bricklayer's rubbish, in 

 sufiBcient quantities to make it more porous and open, is desirable. 

 In peaty or sandy soil, loam, chalk, and clay are the most essen- 

 tial elements to improve the staple, and should be used liberally, 

 according to the texture to be improved. 



Aerangemext or the G-aedex. — My principal object in giving 

 the annexed plan, was to assist the reader in the important work of 

 the arrangement of the garden, and to make the remarks I shall 

 presently make on the subject of cropping more intelligible. I 

 think, by dividing the garden into different sections, and by pointing 

 out the position for the permanent crops, the cultivator who may 

 not be a master of that part of the business will be materially 

 assisted. Besides, by referring to the different plots, which are all 

 numbered, except on the principal square, as I go on presently with 

 the work of cropping, it will enable the cultivator to foresee better 

 the work which is before him. As will be seen by the plan, I have 

 only shown one entrance to the garden ; but more can be added, or 

 this one altered, as the position or other circumstances may require. 

 I have only shown one principal walk skirting the whole garden, 

 and this will suffice for a garden up to one acre in extent ; but if 

 larger, a walk through the centre, at right angles, will divide 

 it into four quarters, and make it more convenient for working. 



