Introductory Remarks 



the disposal of produce, the proverbial three courses are open to 

 sell, to give, or to dig the stuff in as manure. The last-named course 

 will pay well, especially in the disposal of the remains of Cabbage, 

 Kale, Turnips, and other vegetables that have stood through the 

 winter, and occupy ground required for spring seeds. Bury them in 

 trenches, and sow Peas, Beans, &c., over them, and in due time full 

 value will be obtained for the buried crops and the labour bestowed 

 upon them. But hard cropping implies abundant manuring and 

 incessant stirring of the soil. To take much off and put little on is 

 like burning the candle at both ends, or expecting the whip to be an 

 efficient substitute for corn when the horse has extra work to do. 

 Dig deep always, even if the soil be shallow, and then it is advisable 

 to turn the top spit in the usual manner, and break up the subsoil 

 thoroughly with a pickaxe for another twelve or fifteen inches. Where 

 the soil is deep and the staple good, trench a piece every year two 

 spits deep, the autumn being the best time for this work, because of 

 the immense benefit which results from the exposure of newly turned 

 soil to rain, snow, frost, and the rest of Nature's great army of fertilising 

 agencies. 



In practical work there is nothing like method. Crop the ground 

 systematically, as if an account of the procedure had to be laid 

 before a committee of severe critics. Constantly forecast the next 

 work and the disposition of the ground for the various crops, keeping 

 in mind the proportions they should bear to each other. Be 

 particular to have a sufficiency of the flavouring and garnishing 

 herbs always ready and near at hand. These are sometimes wanted 

 suddenly, and in a well-ordered garden it should not be difficult 

 to gather a tuft of Parsley in the dark. Change crops from place to 

 place, so as to avoid growing the same things on the same plots in 

 two successive seasons. This rule, though of great importance, 

 cannot be strictly followed, and may be disregarded to a certain 

 extent where the land is constantly and heavily manured. It is, 

 however, of more consequence in connection with the Potato than 

 with aught else, and this valuable esculent should, if possible, be 

 grown on a different plot every year, so that it shall be three or four 

 years in travelling round the garden. Lastly, sow everything in drills 

 at the proper distances apart. Broadcasting is a slovenly mode of 

 sowing, and necessitates slovenly cultivation afterwards. When crops 

 are in drills they can be efficiently thinned, weeded, and hoed in 

 other words, they can be cultivated. But broadcasting pretty well 

 excludes the cultivator from the land, and can only be commended 



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