12 Tflarket Gardening. 



As we have mentioned, nearness to market is an 

 important point, but the character of the soil and the 

 lay of the land are of importance almost as vital as 

 location. Of course, for a variety of crops, the land 

 should be varied in character. But such variety cannot 

 always be obtained, so that many are confined to one 

 or two distinct kinds of soil, and in such cases find 

 themselves limited to such few crops as are particularly 

 adapted to their land and location. 



Rocky ground is of course and by all means to be 

 avoided for garden crops, in view of the deep and 

 uniform cultivation they need to receive. And low 

 lands which require under-draining are adapted only to 

 certain special crops, and involve heavy outlays to 

 make them capable of profitable culture. Preferably 

 to either, a sandy loam with a sandy or gravelly sub- 

 soil should be selected. Such land is far better than 

 soils resting on clay, not only because its nature is 

 warmer, but because it is naturally well drained. A 

 clay subsoil, at least until deep drains have been sunk 

 and operated a considerable time, will render any land 

 cold, as it retains the moisture. 



If one can have his choice as regards the lay of 

 his land, gently rolling or undulating slopes with a 

 general eastern or southern exposure should by all 

 means be selected. This will make more difference 

 than some might imagine ; as a northern or western 

 slope is not nearly so soon affected by the genial 

 spring influences as a more sunny location. 



The difference between a northern and a southern 

 slope often amounts to one crop a year ; for on the 



