TO HIS GARDENER 71 



Seeds from him as I passed some days before, and in order to 

 get Leek Seed I took a few of other kinds which Sir Ch: has 

 taken with him, and will send to my Wife's Lodgings in Edin: 

 as soon as he gets down, which I hope may be about Saturday 

 senight. Give all a fair trial and so get ground ready that 

 we may see whose seeds answer best, where we have of both the 

 two Seedsmen the same kinds. By this day fortnight you may 

 have some of what I now send in the ground. Better too much 

 than for us to want at any time of year. In my last to J. 

 Dods I wrote some directions for you about putting your 

 Garden ground in high order when to be croped. The being 

 at pains before hand gives the best chance for success if a 

 season answers. Switser has promised me Welsh Onion Seed 

 but as Sir Ch: was going he took the things mentioned in the 

 note and the onion will come time enough. We have very 

 dry weather with easterly winds. It keeps back the Spring 

 but fine for ploughing and working of ground. I hope good 

 use is making of it by you and the farmers. Be careful in 

 dunging strongly to the Artichokes and Water the dung before 

 you put the earth upon it if not done. If you put a small 

 mixture of well Skreened ashes into the earth put into the 

 trench above the dung it will help to keep the strong soil open. 

 Pick out strong plants for your new plantation and when the 

 weather is not cold they must be strongly watered, as indeed 

 should be what were planted before, in order to strengthen 

 the roots now in the spring. They like strong soil but open 

 and moisture for making them swell. A mixture of strong soil 

 with a mixture of rotten dung Loom and Ashes is the best com- 

 position for them, for strength, openness and being frequently 

 moistened is their delight. As dry in Winter as possible. I 

 hope the dung is spread to be ready for first wet to wash it 

 down. The first soft rain will bring up Seeds finely, that have 

 been sown in dry mould. My Son tells me he hears one of the 

 Mares is w* foal. Which is it and how near foaling do they 

 think her.? Is the Mare recovered was strained or how do 

 they think she trots ? 



S'^ March 174^. 



