SECT. IV. OF A GARDEN. 51 



plants. Deep hoeing gives a degree .of fertility to 

 the earth, as breaking the surface keeps the soil in 

 health ; for when it lies in a hard or bound state, 

 enriching showers run off, and the salubrious air 

 cannot enter. 



The thinning of seedling crops should be done in 

 time, before the young plants have drawn one ano- 

 ther up too much. All plants grow stronger, and 

 ripen their juices better, when the air circulates 

 freely round them, and the sun is not prevented 

 from an immediate influence ; an attention to which 

 should be paid from the first appearance of plants 

 breaking ground. 



In thinning close crops, as onions, carrots, turnips, 

 &c. be sure' that they are not left too near, for in- 

 stead of reaping a greater produce, there would be 

 a less. When they stand too close, they will make 

 tall and large tops, but are prevented swelling in 

 their roots; better to err on the widt side, for though 

 there are fewer plants they will be finer and better 

 flavoured. 



In the pricking out and planting out of crops, be 

 sure to do it as early as may be ; let every thing be 

 regular, (not sparing to use the line) allowing always 

 room enough for this work ; and being thus treated, 

 vegetables will come forwarder, larger, and altoge- 

 ther of a superior quality. This will be seen in ail 

 things, but in carrots and lettuces particularly, which 

 often have not half the room allowed them they 

 should. Over cropping robs the ground of stie igta 

 to no purpose, except increasing the dunghill ; it 

 makes it also inconvenient to weed, rake arid clean 

 up, which in a private garden especially, it is proper 

 frequently to do. 



Dibble planting, as being easy and expeditious, i^ 

 the common way of setting out plants ; but (except 



