14 Market Gardenhig. 



barren spot on earth can be made as highly productive 

 as any other soil, even the richest. It is only a question 

 of time and expense. Accordingly it has been said, not 

 without some truth, that after all the chief matter in 

 choosing a location is its convenience to markets of 

 sale and supply ; because if the soil be never so 

 unfavorable the owner can make it over to suit himself, 

 while if he is remote from market he can do nothing 

 to help himself as regards that difficulty. All these 

 considerations have weight, and must be duly allowed 

 for ; but the point I desire most to insist upon is the 

 advantages possessed by the loams lying on sandy or 

 gravelly subsoils, in their excellent natural drainage, 

 and in being easy of cultivation. 



Land Drainage. 



Land, Soil, or Agricultural Drainage is a topic already 

 touched upon, because inevitably presenting itself in 

 connection with the choice of a proper location ; but it 

 is quite too large a subject to be dismissed with a 

 brief and merely casual mention. 



In selectins: a location for either market ^rardenino: 

 or farming, it is preferable, as we have said, to secure 

 land that is naturally well drained. By this description 

 we designate a soil which, owing to inclination of sur- 

 face, or from having a porous subsoil, lets the water 

 pass off quickly after a heavy rainfall, and which there- 

 fore stands in no need of artificial drainage. But it is 

 not always possible to secure such a location, and in 

 many cases artificial drainage is the only means by 



