CONTENTS ix 



PAGE 



Edinburgh — new fruits and vegetables — neglect of 

 manure — stupid husbandry — ditching and planting 

 near the town — ^this letter is to yourself — Alex. 

 Wight gets peas and beans for seed from London 

 — a pond should be made beside Bell's well for 

 summer watering, ..... 17-21 



VII 



{Hampslead, 15th Feb. 1735.) 



Directions about planting out firs — to get statement 

 about the nursery — no letters from ^brother,' Alex. 

 Wight and John Christie — 'don't show this or any 

 other unless I order it ' — Gregory and Exchange, . 21 



VIII 



{Hampstead, 3rd June 1735.) 



Weather — thoughts about improved market-gardening 

 — Bell senior's narrow views — foolish practices — 

 experiment with mulberries and quinces — kinds of 

 pears and apples — foreseeing objections — hopes of 

 market in Edinburgh — market-gardener beginning 

 at Inveresk — kind of supply hitherto in Edinburgh — 

 Covent Garden costermongers and their pushing 

 ways — cart for Edinburgh trade — benefit of having 

 'uncommon things' to tempt buyers — be thorough 

 — Scots niggardly ways — proper care of horses and 

 cows — prospects of business for Bell likely to im- 

 prove — Brodie the carpenter — heavy expenses of 

 London gardeners — Scots want of enterprise — treat- 

 ment of weeds, turnips, grasses — Patrick and rasp- 

 berry punch — weeders and pullers (hiring of) — 

 Gordon and a plan — inquiries about the new inn — 

 friction with brothers and Alex. Wight — pruning, . 22-32 



