SUBURBAN RESIDENCES. 77 



and succulent texture, is liiglily Injurious to tlie fruit-trees ; by preventing 

 them from ever being able to send up their roots to the surface, so as to 

 enjoy the warmth of the sun, and the vivifying influence of the air. Hence 

 it is that we so seldom see abundant crops on fruit-trees growing as standards 

 among culinary vegetables, and so frequently find the trees cankered. The 

 want of crop arises from the roots getting down out of the reach of the air ; 

 and thus being deprived of a proper supply of food, as they derive a great 

 portion of their carbon from the air. If the garden be sufficiently large to 

 spare room for fruit-trees in the middle bed, then the best mode of growing 

 them is on espaliers ; because, when so treated, being kept low, and within 

 definite bounds, they produce no injurious shade ; and, by planting them in 

 a border by themselves, and only stirring the soil of that border with a 

 pronged fork, and never farther than 2 or 3 inches deep, a sufficient number 

 of the fibrous roots will establish themselves closely under the surface, to 

 derive all the benefit that is necessary for them from the sun and air. It may 

 be useful to observe here, that, though it is always an advantage to fruit-trees 

 to have a space around them undug, to the same extent as that which is 

 covered by their branches, yet that they will produce crops of fruit with less 

 than that space; provided what space there is be fully exposed to the sun, 

 and either kept constantly mulched with rotten manure, or stirred two or 

 three times during the summer to the depth of 2 or 3 inches, and kept quite 

 loose on the surface. Experience proves this ; and hence, it would ajipear 

 that a few roots, favourably circumstanced in regard to the atmosphere, are 

 sufficient to take in as much air as will supply the whole plant, in the same 

 manner as a few roots in contact with water will supply the whole plant with 

 moisture. 



120. The kinds of culinary vegetables which should be planted in a small 

 garden, where profit is the object in view, must depend on its extent. If 

 that is such as to admit of growing all the vegetables likely to be used by 

 the family, except winter potatoes, then all that is necessary is, to determine 

 the proportion of space that shall be allotted to the fixed or perennial crops : 

 and that which shall be set aside for the movable or annual crops: but if, 

 on the other hand, there is not space enough for growing all the vegetables 

 required by the family, then the point is to determine which sorts ought to 

 be cultivated in preference. On the supposition that there is space enough 

 for growing all the vegetables required, and that the family use asparagus, 

 sea-kale, tart rhubarb, and artichokes, then we would allot a sixth part for 

 the smaller fruits, such as gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries, &;c., leaving 

 two-thirds for the annual crops. Dividing these two-thirds into 25 parts, we 

 would dispose of them as follows: 



The cabbage tribe, including Savoys, Brussels sprouts, cauliflowers, broccoli, bore- 

 cole, &c. . . . . . . . .6 



Leguminous plants, including peas, beans, and kidney-beans . . .8 



Boots, including turnips, carrots, parsneps, beet, and early potatoes (but not a main 

 crop of potatoes for \vinter use) . . . . . .6 



Leafy plants, such as common spinach, white beet, and New Zealand spinach . 1 



Bulbous plants, including onions, leeks, chives, garlick, shalots, &c. . • 1^ 



Salad plants, including lettuce, endive, chicory, celeiy, mustard and cress, radish, &c. 2 

 Pot and sweet herbs ; thyme, sage, chamomile, &c. . . . . ^ 



The gourd tribe . , . • . . . i 



25 



