169 



vating ; and to promote early maturity, throw a moderate portion of 

 earth about the roots and stems at the last or final dressing. 



3. In the sowing of seed, remember that in unity there is strength, 

 and that from the gerrninative parts of a seed being weak and diminutive, 

 it cannot be expected to perforate through the soil, solitary and alone. To 

 insure a fair chance plant your seed moderately thick, and thin out tho 

 surplus plants while young. In planting seed in drills, which is the most 

 eligible plan, the size of the seed and strength of its germ should be consi- 

 dered ; large seed, producing vigorous roots, require deeper planting than 

 diminutive seed, producing delicate roots and slender stalks. 



4. In the choice of compost for exotic or greenhouse plants, imitate the 

 native soil of each peculiar species as nearly as possible, by a judicious 

 mixture of maiden earth, loam, sand, leaf, swamp, and rock mould, decom- 

 posed manures, and such other composts as ate recommended under the 

 'different heads. Remember, that although strong manure is essential to 

 the growth of some plants, it is poisonous to others. Pursue, then, a 

 medium course. From your soil not being too stiff or too light, too rich 

 or too poor, too cool or too warm, too close or too porous, if not positively 

 salutary and congenial to all, it must render the situation of each endura- 

 ble. I again repeat, that temperance in the use of aliment, is as essential 

 to the welfare of the vegetable family as it is to the health, happiness, and 

 longevity of mankind. 



T. BRIDGEMAN. 

 New- York, March 4, 1840. 



95" Since this address has been in press, I have seen another article in 

 the Poughkeepsie Eagle, dated February 29, 1840, wherein our modest 

 and patriotic discoverer gratuitously pronounces his knowledge as superior 

 to that of " all Botanical and Agricultural known writers !" As I have 

 anticipated the merits of this second valuable discovery in my books, I have 

 nothing more to say than to remind the reader that this uncalled for attack 

 on the brethren of my fraternity, fully justifies not merely the publication, 

 but the most general circulation of these my voluntary disclosures. 



RETROSPECTIVE VIEW. 



This summary view of estimates is annexed, in order to aid the 

 man and Gardener in making out a bill of seed for the purpose of planting 

 any given quantity of ground, under the regulations suggested in tho 

 Vegetable Department of the Young Gardener's Assistant, to which the 

 reader is referred for a more concise view of the subject. 



Page. 

 Artichoke ; an ounce of seed will produce 600 plants, * 31 



Asparagus; one ounce will be sufficient for 1000 plants 35 



Beans, English Dwarf; one quart of seed will be required for every 



sixty feet of row, --------40 



Beans, Kidney Dwarf ; one quart of seed will plant from 350 to 400 



hills, or from 230 to 260 feet of row, * * 42 



