farmers' miscellany. 295 



seared over by the constant toil and the pecuniary afTalrs of life, 

 feels it grow green and young again, when he turns back to this 

 employment. As the season approaches to commence gardening, 

 we venture a few hints 'in relation to it. 



' Do not be sparing in the application of manures. You may 

 have as handsome and good a spot for your garden as you can se- 

 lect, but unless it is well manured you will have nothing handsome 

 or good in it, nor profitable. Unless vegetables are well supplied 

 with food they will amount to nothing. The manure should be 

 well rotted, so as to break up fine and incorporate easily with the 

 soil. Poudrette or guano, if judiciously used, will be found pecu- 

 liarly fitted for the garden. But if stable manure is used, it should 

 be spread evenly over tha surface, and then the ground spaded 

 lecp and well pulverised. No matter what you intend to plant, 

 Jiis is a point of great importance. It serves to give a free circu- 

 lation of air about the roots of plants, and also, if the season 

 ;hould be dr}'', in a considerable degree prevents the effects of 

 Irought, by allowing the moisture to ascend from below. The 

 •cots of the plants, too, can extend easier and farther in a loose 

 Iioil, than in a heavy one, and the more room they have, the bet- 

 er will be the growth of the plant. If the soil is not naturally 

 leep,it should be dug from twelve to eighteen inches deep and be 

 nade very rich with manure, which process will soon produce a 

 :oil of sufficient depth. We advise the use of the spade in all ca- 

 ;es, even where ploughing might be done. It goes deeper, divides 

 he earth more perfectly, and mixes the manure more uniformly 

 vith it, and the extra expense will be more than repaid in increas- 

 ed products. Where the soil is principally clay, it will be mate- 

 ially benefited by applying a few loads of sand. This, put on 

 •efore the ground is dug, will make it much more loose and easier 

 ,0 cultivate. If sand predominates, clay may be added. Heavy 

 joils will also be improved by having the manure mixed with 

 jwice its bulk of peat or sv/amp muck, and lie in a pile two or 

 hree weeks before it is used. The quantity of manure would be 

 icreascd by that, and the soil made light and warm. 

 I Throughout the season the garden should be kept free from 

 feeds. Not one should be suffered to live. They rob the plants 

 f much nourishment. The soil should be frequently stirred about 

 ae roots of plants, but never immediately after rain. Do not 



