Of Gardens. 453 



3. The Rent of Gardens. 



The most superficial observer must be satisfied, that the 

 value of landed property, has been considerably augmented, 

 by the increase of gardens. From their artificial riches ; 

 their high cultivation ; and their great fertility and produce, 

 the rents afforded, are higher than those derived from arable 

 or pasture land ( 435 ) The expenses, however, are so great, 

 that the rent, in proportion to the produce, is often moderate. 



The rent of common garden ground, in the neighbourhood 

 of Fulham, Turnham-Green, Brentford, and other places near 

 London, is from L.6 to L.7 per acre. Nearer London, and 

 where the ground is rich, the rents rise to L.10 ; and where 

 a garden has a considerable extent of wall, covered with choice 

 and thriving fruit trees, the rents are, according to the quan- 

 tity and goodness of the walls and fruit-trees, from L.I 5 to 

 L.20 per acre. In each of these cases, the rents are exclusive 

 of forcing-houses ; and the several gardeners have also to pay 

 for tithes, taxes, and assessments, from one-half to two-thirds 

 of the amount of the rents ( 43<5 ). 



The rent of the best garden ground near Edinburgh, an. 

 1814, was, on an average, from L.8 to L.I 2 per statute acre 

 for rent alone, tithes not affecting the occupier of land in that 

 part of the kingdom. It is remarked, however, that unless 

 the soil and exposure be particularly excellent, the tenant 

 cannot have a profitable bargain at such rents, and that the 

 land is likely to suffer from over-cropping, unless a sufficient 

 quantity of manure can be procured ( 437 ) 



The garden ground at Sandy, in Bedfordshire, rents at 

 from L.2, 10s. to L.3 per acre, subject to the occupier paying 

 tithes, taxes and assessments ; and a field manured and cleaned, 

 and in a state fit for producing potatoes or onions, will only 

 let for one year, at from L.5 to L.6 per acre ( 438 ) ; while in 

 the neighbourhood of many of the third and fourth rate towns 

 of Scotland, from L.6 to L.8 and even L.10 per statute acre, 

 are often paid for land upon which potatoes, and other vegeta- 

 bles, are cultivated ( 439 ). In the neighbourhood of sea-port 

 towns, market-gardeners are found peculiarly useful ; for no- 

 thing tends more to preserve the health of seamen, than a 

 plentiful supply of vegetables, not only when on shore, but to 

 be consumed at sea. 



4. Means of improving the Art of Gardening. 

 This greatly depends upon three particulars : 1. Attention to 



