RUfA BAG A CULTURE 



row were not only larger, but earlier in leaving, than any of the 

 rest of the plot. 



8p. The reason is this : if plants are put into wet earth, the 

 setting-stick squeezes the earth up against the tender fibres in a 

 mortar-like state. The sun comes and bakes this mortar into a 

 sort of glazed clod. The hole made by the stick is also a smooth 

 sided hole, which retains its form, and presents, on every side, an 

 impenetrable substance to the fibres. In short, such as the hole 

 is made, such it, in a great measure, remains, and the roots are 

 cooped up in this sort of well, instead of having a free course left 

 them to seek their food on every side. Besides this, the fibres get, 

 from being wet when planted, into a small compass. They all 

 cling about the tap root, and are stuck on to it by the wet dirt ; 

 in which state, if a hot sun follow, they are all baked together in a 

 lump, and cannot stir. On the contrary, when put into ground 

 unwet, the reverse of all this takes place ; and the fresh earth will, 

 under any sun, supply moisture in quantity sufficient. 



81. Yet, in July and August, both in England and America, 

 how many thousands and thousands are waiting for a shoiver to 

 put out their plants ! And then, when the long-wished-for 

 shower comes, they must plant upon stale ground, for they have 

 it dug ready, as it were, for the purpose of keeping them company 

 in waiting for the shower. Thus all the fermentations which 

 took place upon the digging, is gone ; and, when the planting has 

 once taken place, farewell to the spade ! For, it appears to be a 

 privilege of the Indian corn to receive something like good usage 

 after being planted. It is very strange that it should have been 

 thus, for what reason is there for other plants not enjoying a 

 similar benefit ? The reason is, that they will produce something 

 without it ; and the Indian corn will positively produce nothing ; 

 for which the Indian corn is very much to be commended. As 

 an instance of this effect of deeply moving the earth between 

 growing crops, I will mention, that, in the month of June, and 

 on the a6th of that month, a very kind neighbour of mine, in 

 whose garden I was, showed me a plot of Green Savoy Cabbages, 

 which he had planted in some ground as rich as ground could be. 

 He had planted them about three weeks before ; and they ap 

 peared very fine indeed. In the seed bed, from which he had taken 

 his plants, there remained about a hundred : but, as they had been 

 left as of no use, they had drawn each other up, in company with 

 the weeds, till they were about eighteen inches high, having only 

 a starved leaf or two upon the top of each. I asked my neighbour 

 to give me these plants, which he readily did ; but begged me 

 not to plant them, for, he assured me, that they would come to 

 nothing. Indeed, they were a ragged lot ; but, I had no plants 

 of my own sowing more than two inches high. I, therefore, took 

 these plants and dug some ground for them between some rows 

 of scarlet blossomed beans, which mount upon poles. I cut a 

 stick on purpose, and put the plants very deep into the ground. 



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