38 OF PROPAGATION. SECT. V. 



of weather and infeHs : for, as the largeft animals pro- 

 duce the moll profitable flock, fo it is in vegetables ; 

 which directs the gardener always to fave feed only 

 from the forwardeil ami handfomeft uninjured plants. 

 As in animals the young may be ftunted by bad ma- 

 nagement, and defective food, lb in vegetables, the 

 feed being good will not be alone fufncient, if the foil 

 and culture be not right. 



Commonly fpeaking new feed is to be preferred to 

 old, as growing the more luxuriantly, and coming up 

 the furer and quicker. This circumitance induces 

 fome private perfons to fave their own feed that they 

 may not be deceived in buying old for new feed ; a trick 

 of trade, it is to be hoped, not pra&ifed by every 

 feedfman • Yet a little mixture of old feed is fometimes 

 proper, becaufe the new is peihaps cut off, and the old 

 faved, by being a day or two later in coming up. 



If old feed is knowingly fown, fome allowance in 

 point of time muft be made. Peas and beans of two 

 years old, are by fome preferred to new, as not running 

 to muchtoftraw. See cucumbers and melons, feftion 14. 

 As to the age of feeds, at which they may be fown 

 and germinate, it is uncertain, and depends very much 

 bow they are preferved. Seeds kept from the air and 

 inoiitureby being buried deep in the ground will con- 

 tinue a great many years without corruption. Peas 

 and beans will germinate very well at feven years of 

 age ; but the feeds of lettuces and kidney beans, and 

 fome others, are not to be depended upon after a year or 

 two ; and though generally fpeaking the fmaller feeds 

 are of the leait duration, yet their maintenance of 

 vegetative power depends much upon the texture of the 

 feed, with refpe£t to its coat, and the oil it con- 

 tains, &c. 



The javing feed by private gardeners, is hardly to be 

 recommended. Things running to feed give a garden a 

 rude appearance, often occupying ground that is wanted, 

 and might be ufed to better purpofe ; and the caie often 



is, 



