IEB.] THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 101 



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

 rounding the quarters ; the front with flowers and small shrubs 

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



Situation, Soil, Water, Extent, &c. 



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 sum- 

 mer months ; which are advantages worthy of attention, both on 

 account of the early and of the other principal crops. A situation hav- 

 ing 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 toward the south, it is the 

 more desirable, 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 advan- 

 tage, as the higher or sloping ground will suit some early crops, and 

 serve for wintering several sorts of plants that are impatient of co- 

 pious moisture in that season, such as artichokes, spinage, corn sal- 

 lad lettuce, &c. and the low ground will be eligible for late summer 

 crops, as beets, kidney-beans, cauliflowers, 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 af- 

 fords ; 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 t 

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

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

 beet, horse-radish, See. 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 

 ehuse from, we cannot b.e too cautious at first in fixing on a proper 



