16 KITCHEN-GARDENING. 



and is a medium earth, between the extremes of clay and 

 sand. 



Many gardens can never be brought into a state of great 

 productiveness on account of an excess of water in the soil. 

 If the soil be heavy, and continues wet and heavy in the spring, 

 let it be drained at once. After this, plough deep, pulverize 

 thoroughly, manure highly, keep the weeds subdued, and 

 in a few years you will have a garden that will produce 

 anything that will grow in your locality. If the soil is heavy, 

 haul on muck, sawdust, chip manure, in great abundance ; and 

 when such substances decay, the soil will be light, mellow, and 

 productive. 



ROTATION OF CROPS. 



Perhaps the next important point to be attended to is the 

 most proper rotation of crops. Virgil, who was a philosopher 

 as well as a poet, very justly observes, that " THE TRUE REPOSE 



OF THE EARTH IS A CHANGE OF ITS PRODUCTIONS." 



It is a curious fact, that a plant may be killed by the poison 

 which it has itself secreted, as a viper may be destroyed by its 

 own venom. Hence it has been very generally noticed, that 

 the soil in which some particular vegetables have grown, and 

 into which they have discharged the excretions of "their roots, 

 is rendered noxious to the prosperity of plants of the same or 

 allied species, though it be well adapted to the growth and 

 support of other distinct species of vegetables. 



It is proved by experience, that fall Spinach is an excellent 

 preparative for Beets, Carrots, Radishes, Salsify, and all other 

 tap, as well as tuberous-rooted vegetables. 



Celery or Potatoes constitute a suitable preparative for Cab- 

 bage, Cauliflower, and all other plants of the JSrassica tribe ; 

 as also Artichokes, Asparagus, Lettuce, and Onions, provided 

 such ground be well situated, which is a circumstance always 

 to be duly considered in laying out a garden. 



Lands that have long lain in pasture are, for the first three 

 or four years after being tilled, superior for Cabbage, Turnips, 



