io8 trbe Oarben 



much to the beauty and elegance of our gar- 

 dens, which are the gravel of our walks, and 

 the fineness and almost perpetual greenness of 

 our turf. The first is not known anywhere else, 

 which leaves all their dry walks, in other coun- 

 tries, very unpleasant and uneasy. The other 

 cannot be found in France or in Holland as we 

 have it, the soil not admitting that fineness of 

 blade in Holland, nor the sun that greenness in 

 France, during most of the summer ; nor indeed 

 is it to be found but in the finest of our soils. 



Whoever begins a garden, ought, in the first 

 place and above all, to consider the soil, upon 

 which the taste not only of his fruits, but his 

 legumes, and even herbs and salads, will wholly 

 depend ; and the default of soil is without rem- 

 edy : for, although all borders of fruit may be 

 made with what earth you please (if you will 

 be at the charge), yet it must be renewed in two 

 or three years, or it runs into the nature of the 

 ground where it is brought. Old trees spread 

 their roots farther than anybody's care extends, 

 or the forms of the garden will allow ; and, after 

 all, where the soil about you is ill, the air is too 

 in a degree, and has influence upon the taste 

 of fruit. What Horace says of the productions 

 of kitchen-gardens, under the name of caulis, 

 is true of all the best sorts of fruits, and may 

 determine the choice of soil for all gardens : 



