104 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. [FEB. 



ed in betwixt the bottom and top spits, so as next year, when 

 it comes to be digged again, the compost being well meliorated, 

 will be worked up, and mixed with the natural soil. 



Do not omit enriching and improving the borders for the wall * 

 and espalier-trees, by adding a considerable portion of rotten dung ; 

 and if the natural soil is not good, add also, if possible, some good 

 loamy earth from the surface of a field or pasture common, either 

 -to the whole, or rather than fail, a few barrow-fuls at first to each 

 place where a tree is to stand, and improve the rest afterwards 

 by degrees, at leisure. 



The ground must be divided into compartments for regularity 

 and convenience. A border must be carried round, close to the 

 boundary-walls or fences, not less than five, but if six or eight 

 feet wide, the better, both for raising various early and other kitchen 

 crops, and for the benefit of the wall-trees, if any, that their roots 

 may have full scope to run in search of nourishment ; and moreover, 

 the annual digging and stiring the ground for the culture of the 

 herbaceous esculents, greatly encourages the trees : hence the uti- 

 lity of having a broad border. Next to this border a walk should be 

 continued also all round the garden, of proper width, as mentioned 

 below; then proceed to divide the interior parts into two, four, or 

 more principal divisions and walks, if its extent be large ; first, if 

 the ground is of some considerable width, a straight walk should run 

 directly through the middle of the garden ; and another, if thought 

 necessary, may be directed across the ground, intersecting the first ; 

 and if the garden extends any considerable length, two or more such 

 cross walks may be necessary ; the width of the walks may be from 

 about five to ten or twelve feet, in proportion to the extent of the 

 garden ; and each of the quarters should be surrounded with a five or 

 six feet wide border ; and a range of espalier fruit trees may be 

 planted along towards the back-part of each border, so that every 

 quarter will be inclosed with an espalier ; which will be ornamental 

 in growth, and profitable in the annual production of superior fruit 

 of different kinds. 



I would not, however, by any means advise dividing small or 

 moderate -si zed gardens into too many walks and small quarters, 

 especially if they are to be surrounded by espaliers, which would 

 render them too confined for the proper growth of culinary herbage ; 

 besides, it would be wasting too much of the ground in walks. 



In one of the quarters a place should be allotted for the framing- 

 ground ; that is, a place for making the hot-beds for raising early 

 cucumbers, melons, and other tender plants: fixing on a spot for 

 this purpose, full to the sun from rising to setting, sheltered as 

 much as possible from the northerly winds, and conveniently situ- 

 ated for bringing in the dung for the hot-beds. 



* Observe, that aU trees planted against and trained to either paling- or 

 board fences, &c. producing fruit on one side only, are denominated \vall 

 trees, as well as if planted to actual brick or stone walls ; in contradistinction 

 to espalier trees, which produce fruit on both slcl-js. 



