SECT. IV. OF A GARDEN- 49 



be much more productive than a much greater under 

 contrary management : But when hard worked, the 

 soil will not do without a good deal of dung well 

 broke. 



A caution in cropping must be observed, that 

 plants grow not crowding thick, which defeats the 

 end in view; and be sure not to let fruit borders be 

 much cropped ; furnish them chiefly with small 

 plants, of short duration, and superficial growth, 

 lest the roots of the trees be too much robbed and 

 shaded. 



Have an eye on vacant ground, either for imme- 

 diate use, or to prepare it for future. 



In the occupation of ground, the change of crops , 

 will be proper, as each sort of plant draws a some- 

 what different nourishment : so that after a full crop 

 of one thing, one of another kind may often be im- 

 mediately sown ; but it should be contrived that a 

 wide crop may follow a close one, and contrariwise. 

 Close crops, as onions, leeks, carrots, &c. are con- 

 veniently and neatly cultivated in beds of from four 

 to five feet widths, with alleys of a foot to eighteen 

 inches between them. 



The seasons proper for furnishing the ground with 

 every particular vegetable, should be well attended 

 to, that each may be obtained as early as its nature 

 will permit ; and of the seeds and plants we use, 

 care must be taken to procure the best of the kind, 

 lest after all the trouble of cultivation, disappoint- 

 ment as to vegetation or quality should ensue. 



The quantity sown and planted is (in a degree) to 

 be determined by the portion of ground than can be 

 spared ; but it should be always a rule, to sow and 

 plant more than probably enough for the family, as 

 more may happen to be wanted than expected, and 

 a cross season or other accident, may occasion a 

 failure. As exact rules cannot be laid down, the 



E 



