KITCHEN-GARDENING. 29 



possible, by a judicious mixture of maiden earth, loam, sand, 

 leaf, swamp, and rock mould, decomposed manures, and such 

 other composts as are recommended under the different heads. 

 Remember, that although strong manure is essential to the 

 growth of some plants, it is poisonous to others. PURSUE, 

 THEN, A MEDIUM COURSE. From your soil not being too stiff 

 nor too light, too rich nor too poor, too cool nor too warm, 

 too close nor too porous, if not positively salutary and conge- 

 nial to all, it must render the situation of each endurable. I 

 again repeat, that temperance in the use of aliment is as 

 essential to the welfare of the vegetable family as it is to the 

 health, happiness, and longevity of mankind. 



MEANS FOR REPELLING INSECTS. 



There is nothing that protects young crops of Turnips, 

 Cabbage, and other small plants, from the depredations of the 

 fly so well as rolling ; for when the surface is rendered com- 

 pletely smooth, these insects are "deprived of the harbor they 

 would otherwise have under the clods and small lumps of 

 earth. This method will be found more effectual than soaking 

 the seed in any preparation, or dusting the plants with any 

 composition whatever ; but the roller must only be used 

 previous to, or at the time of sowing the seed, and not when 

 the soil is so moist that it will pack and bake, thus forming a 

 crust on the surface of the ground, through which the young 

 plants can never force their way. 



Turnip-seed will sometimes sprout in forty-eight hours. 

 Cabbage-seed ought to come up within a week after it is sown ; 

 but it sometimes happens that the whole is destroyed before a 

 plant is seen above ground. The seedsman, in this case, is 

 often blamed, but without cause. 



A correspondent has communicated the result of an experi- 

 ment he has tried for preventing the attacks of flies or fleas on 

 Turnips. He says : " Steep your seed in a pint of warm 

 water for two hours, in which is infused one ounce of salt- 

 petre ; then dry the seed, and add currier's oil sufficient to wet 



