48 OF THE CULTIVATION SECT. IV. 



superficial soil is much exhausted, to dig slightly, 

 and spread over rotten dung, late in autumn, in the 

 winter, or early in spring, and so let it remain, till 

 the ground is wanted, before it is dug in ; which 

 should however be slightly dug before the manure is 

 put on, or forked in a little afterwards. This method 

 is particularly to be recommended where crops of 

 onions, leeks, and such superficial rooting plants are 

 to be. 



Dung used in great quantities, and lying in lumps, 

 breeds worms, grubs, and insects, and makes plants 

 grow too rampant and rank flavoured. Carrots it 

 cankers, and it disagrees with many things ; apt 

 also to make the ground parch, and burn the crops 

 sown upon it in a hot summer. On these accounts 

 some persons have been induced to dress their gar- 

 dens only with rich fresh earth ; which, if they do not 

 overcrop, will do very well, being accompanied with 

 good tillage ; which alone is of much use and is 

 essential to due cultivation. Vegetables are always 

 sweeter, the less dung is used, and little need DQ 

 used, when the natural soil is good and deep ; for 

 the earth may be so dug, that what is at the top one 

 year may be at the bottom the next : which is a 

 manoeuvre evidently advantageous, as a good part of 

 the strength of the top soil washes downwards : The 

 method just recommended, of letting dung lie on the 

 surface tor a time, is good also, as it abates the rank- 

 ness of it : Lime sweetens. 



If the ground is in proper heart, every spot may 

 be contrived to be constantly and successively crop- 

 ped. The common gardeners about London, and 

 other great towns, who give high rents for their land^ 

 contrive (manuring well) a succession of crops, one 

 under another very dexterously; and this sort of 

 conduct should be imitated by private persons. Thus 

 a little spot, in skilful and industrious hands, shall 



