FEB.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 115 



back part of them planted with a range of espalier fruit-trees, sur- 

 rounding the quarters ; the front with flowers and small shrubs ; and 

 the inner quarters for the growth of the kitchen vegetables, &c. 



SITUATION, SOIL, WATER, EXTENT, ETC. 



As to situation, it can only be observed in general, that both high 

 and low, if the soil be suitable, will produce good crops of esculent 

 herbage and fruits, though a moderately low situation is the most 

 preferable, as being less exposed to the influence of cold cutting 

 winds in spring, and more retentive of moisture during the summer 

 months, which are advantages worthy of attention both on account 

 of the early and of the other principal crops. A situation having a 

 moderate slope is very eligible for this purpose, as in such a spot 

 there will not be any danger of water standing, nor of being too wet 

 at any season ; and if it slopes towards the south, it is the more de- 

 sirable, as it will not only be better defended from the cold north- 

 westerly winds, but by its exposure or aspect inclining to the sun, you 

 may always expect to have the earliest crops ; or when the situation 

 is in some parts a little elevated or gently sloping, and in others low 

 and moist, it may be some advantage, as the higher or sloping ground 

 will suit some early crops, arid serve for wintering several sorts of 

 plants that are impatient of copious moisture in that season, such as 

 artichokes, spinage, corn, salad, lettuce, &c.; and the low ground 

 will be eligible for late summer crops, as beets, kidney-beans, cauli- 

 flowers, cabbages, lettuce, and several others. -However, as to choice 

 of situation and soil, this only is practicable in large estates; but 

 where persons are limited to a moderate space, they must be content 

 with such as nature affords ; observing in this case, that if the natural 

 soil is of a proper temperament and depth, you need not be under 

 any great anxiety about the situation if it is moderately dry, and not 

 apt to be overflowed in winter ; even in that case, it may be remedied 

 or greatly helped, by digging two or three long, narrow canals, and 

 from these some under-ground hollow drains, the earth from which 

 will help to raise the contiguous ground higher, and the water in the 

 canals will be convenient for watering the plants. Remarking that 

 a situation too wet in winter should be guarded against as much as 

 the nature of the place will admit ; for in such land you can never 

 have early nor good general crops, nor will the fruit-trees be pros- 

 perous. 



With respect to soil, that for a kitchen garden of all others, re- 

 quires to be naturally good, of depth enough for the growth of the 

 large perpendicular esculent roots, as carrots, parsneps, red beet, 

 horse-radish, &c., also for the growth of fruit-trees, a very material 

 article; so that the proper soil for these general purposes should, if 

 possible, be from about a foot and a half to two feet deep, or more ; 

 but much less than a foot and a half depth will be a disadvantage ; 

 so much depends upon the quality of the soil for a kitchen and fruit 

 garden, that where there is scope of ground to choose from, we can- 

 not be too cautious at first in fixing on a proper spot where the soil 

 is good and deep enough, as above, before gravel, clay, or other bad 



