How to manage a Garden 



is also a difficult work, and rarely is it seen performed 

 successfully. When the hedge has attained to a sufficient 

 height the railings, or protecting fence, may of course be 

 removed. There is this disadvantage in a hedge, which 

 does not exist when the boundary is a wall or wooden 

 fence viz., it is inadvisable to have a border immediately 

 against it, as the roots are apt to make towards the border, 

 which will of course be better cultivated, and the flowers 

 or vegetables contained therein are likely to become im- 

 poverished; for hedges as a rule are gross feeders. In 

 view of this it is usually better to have a walk immediately 

 against the hedge, and the border next the path, where it 

 is extremely improbable that the crops will be robbed. 



The Arrangement of Paths and Walks. 



The subject of boundaries has been treated at great 

 length, but as having an important bearing on the wel- 

 fare of the crops within, the information afforded will not, 

 I think, be considered unnecessary. The number of 

 paths and the size of them depends solely on the size 

 of the plot, for it would obviously be unwise to lay down 

 paths six and eight feet wide in an area of half an acre. In 

 a small plot the pathway must of necessity be reduced to 

 the minimum necessary for getting about with the neces- 

 sary manure, &c. ; for good land is extremely valuable to 

 the small holder, who does not believe in putting down 

 gravel where he can grow cabbages. Moreover, the needs 

 of a small garden are obviously less than those of a large 

 one, and where a cart would be required in the latter case 

 a wheelbarrow would do in the former. For any garden up 

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