INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 3 



vegetables, we shall surely discover that we owe much to the spirit of 

 improvement, and should be but badly off if forced back upon the 

 sorts that were grown by our forefathers. What should we do now, 

 for instance, with no better Potatoes than Scotch Cups, which were 

 formerly considered excellent ; or with no better early Pea than the 

 Charlton ; or with none but the great solid-hearted Cabbages of 

 olden time, and the common Pumpkin for the best approach to our 

 delicate Vegetable Marrow? Our advice is, give novelties a fair 

 trial, but depend for the main supply of any root or vegetable on 

 the sorts that are well known to be the best in their several classes. 

 We sum up this paragraph with a word of counsel that may be re- 

 membered select the best of everything, and grow everything well. 

 The generous hand will not only be entitled to, but will obtain, the 

 largest harvest. 



In regard to practical work there is nothing like system. Crop 

 the ground systematically, as if you expected any day to have to give 

 an account of your procedure to a committee of severe critics. Con- 

 stantly forecast the next work and the disposition of the ground for 

 the various crops, keeping in mind something like the proportions 

 they should bear to each other. Be particular to have a sufficiency 

 of the flavouring and garnishing herbs always ready and near at hand. 

 These are sometimes wanted suddenly, and it may be no hard matter 

 to gather a tuft of Parsley in the dark in a well-ordered garden, but 

 one's neck may be dislocated in searching for it in the garden of the 

 sloven, though he may have a furlong of the finest Parsley in the 

 world somewhere. Change your crops about from place to place, so 

 as not to grow the same things on the same plots two seasons in 

 succession. This rule, though of great importance, cannot be strictly 

 followed, and may be disregarded to a certain extent where the land is 

 constantly and heavily manured. It is, however, of more importance 

 in connection with the Potato than with aught else, and this valuable 

 esculent should, if possible, be grown on a different plot every year, 

 so that it shall be quite three or four years in travelling round the 

 garden. Lastly, sow everything in drills at the proper distances apart. 

 Broadcasting is a slovenly mode of sowing, and necessitates slovenly 

 cultivation afterwards. When crops are in drills they can be thinned, 

 weeded, and hoed between efficiently in other words, they can be 

 cultivated. But broadcasting pretty well excludes the cultivator from 

 the land, and can only be commended to the idle man, who will be 

 content with half a crop of poor quality, while perhaps paying rent 

 enough to cover a crop at once the heaviest and the best. 



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