446 Of Gardens. 



mixture of clay, so favourable to retention of these articles, 

 will likewise be found well calculated for garden culture. The 

 addition of a moderate quantity of oxide of iron, it would ap- 

 pear, is of use in promoting fertility ( 4I4 ). It is fortunate 

 however, when a garden contains a variety of soils : as some 

 vegetables require a strong and heavy soil, and do not thrive 

 in a light one. Where the subsoil is wet, draining is indis- 

 pensable. 



2. Preparing the soil, and trenching it to the proper depth, 

 are not always sufficiently attended to in garden culture. The 

 soil ought to be from one foot and a half, to two feet and a 

 half deep, particularly where tap-rooted vegetables are culti- 

 vated. The roots can thus, with greater facility, extend their 

 fibres, in all directions, in search of vegetable nourishment, 

 and there is provided for any superabundant moisture which 

 may be occasioned by heavy rains, a reservoir where it is re- 

 tained till wanted. 



3. The species of manure must depend upon the soil. 

 Rotten dung is preferred by gardeners, as, in the course of 

 fermentation, the seeds of weeds, and the larvae of insects are 

 destroyed ; and the more putrid the dung, the greater effect 

 it has in promoting the rapid growth of the plant ( 4l5 ). Sea- 

 weed, where it can be procured, is an excellent manure for 

 garden crops, in particular for onions ( 4I(S ). Soapers' waste, 

 used in moderation by itself, or in a compost with earth, is a 

 desirable manure for garden soils. This substance, not only 

 destroys insects and their larvae ( 4l7 ), but, consisting prin- 

 cipally of calcareous matter, every species of vegetables is 

 greatly improved in quality, where it is applied. Cow-dung, 

 mixed with water, is a good manure, when frequently applied 

 in a liquid state. In Flanders, they use no other dung but 

 that of the cow, for peaches, the dung of hogs and horses be- 

 ing of too burning a quality ( 4l8 ). The best manure for apple 

 trees, is said to be tanners' bark. A tanner's orchard rarely 

 fails. In the rich garden-ground, in the neighbourhood of 

 London, the application of stone lime in powder would be of 

 singular utility. 



4. Slugs and snails are very destructive in a garden. Slak- 

 ed lime, sifted coal-ashes, saw-dust, or the awns of barley, 

 spread on the surface, or laid in rows, in various places, are 

 useful in destroying them. Salt would probably be still more 

 effectual. 



5* Skilful gardeners recommend attention to a rotation of 

 crops, and occasionally fallow portions of their gardens, or lay 

 them down with clover, which seldom fails to restore them to 



