116 THE KITCHEN GARDEN. [FEB. 



soils are come at, which should always be more particularly attended 

 to when designed to furnish the ground with a choice collection of 

 fruit-trees, either for walls, espaliers, or standards; for, without a 

 due depth of good earth, these will neither bear well nor be of long 

 duration. 



Different sorts of soils are met with in different parts, as loamy, 

 clayey, sandy, &c. A loamy soil, either of a brown or black color, 

 is the best that can be for this purpose, more particularly a light 

 sandy hazel loam, which always works pliable at all seasons, not apt 

 to be too wet and cloggy at every shower of rain, nor bind in dry, 

 hot weather; this soil, however, although in many places it is the 

 most general superficial earth, is not common to all parts. A clayey, 

 strong, stubborn soil, is the worst of all earths, and must be mended 

 by sandy materials, ashes, and other loosening light substances. A 

 sandy soil is common in many places, which is of a very light, sharp 

 nature ; this must be fertilized by plenty of rotten dung and strong 

 earths, when they can be easily procured. 



It is observable that ground which constantly produces good crops 

 of grain and grass, is also proper for the growth of all esculent herbs 

 and fruit-trees. 



Choose, however, the best soil you can, according to the situation 

 and extent of your ground, and if it happens to prove unfavorable 

 art must assist; for if it is of a light sandy nature, it may easily be 

 mended by adding a quantity of any kind of rotten or other good 

 dung ; and if of a very light, sharp, hungry temperament, earths of 

 stronger substance, such as loam and the like, if it can be easily 

 obtained, must be added occasionally, along with plenty of dung, 

 working the whole with the natural soil of the garden ; and should 

 your garden be of a clayey, cold, damp nature, add light materials, 

 both of rich composts and light sandy soils ; nothing is more proper, 

 where it can be had, than plenty of coal ashes, &c., for opening and 

 warming all tough, stubborn, cold soils. 



Water is a very essential article in a kitchen garden in summer, 

 to water all new transplanted plants and others that cannot subsist 

 without a due supply of moisture during the drought of that season ; 

 therefore, in large gardens, where practicable, one or more reservoirs 

 of water should be contrived in the most convenient part of the 

 ground, either in basins or narrow canals, and supplied with water 

 from some contiguous spring, river, brook, pond, well, &c. 



The necessary space of ground proper for a family kitchen garden, 

 may be from about a quarter of an acre, or less, to six or eight acres, 

 or more, according to the appropriated limits of ground, the number 

 and demand of the family, the consumption by sales, or the expense 

 the proprietor would choose to bestow on the making and general 

 culture. A kitchen garden of an acre will nearly employ one man, 

 especially if it be furnished with espalier and other fruit-trees, and 

 so in proportion to a garden of smaller or larger extent : a garden of 

 the above size will produce a very plentiful supply of esculent herbage 

 and fruit sufficient at least for a family of ten or fifteen persons ; but 

 on large estates, and where the family is considerable in proportion, 



