248 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY. 



ous growth at New- York, and just sown at Montreal 

 and Quebec. The fact, therefore, of geographical 

 position must always be considered in the culture 

 of plants, time of sowing, &c. ; and that of elevation 

 should not be overlooked, as it is well known that 

 the difference in temperature between a valley and 

 a mountain-range or elevated land, at not more than 

 three or four miles' distance, is not unfrequently 

 equal to that of as many degrees of latitude. It is 

 always desirable to have the seed of vegetables as 

 early in the ground as is consistent with the safety 

 of the plants, as the earth in the spring contains the 

 moisture essential to perfect germination, and as 

 soon as the ground has received the proper degree 

 of heat, then is the time to plant. Some seed will 

 germinate with a much less degree of heat than oth- 

 ers ; and those that are most hardy are usually of 

 this class. Thus lettuce and pease will vegetate at 

 a temperature in which the seed of melons, and even 

 corn, would most certainly rot. As a general rule, 

 then, applicable to all parts of the country, it may be 

 said that all seed should be put in the earth as soon 

 as its temperature will admit of germination, and the 

 young plants be secure from the spring frosts. The 

 preparation of the ground for a garden requires few 

 directions ; if properly constituted, and sufficiently 

 rich or well manured, nothing is necessary but turn- 

 ing it up with the spade or the plough, making the 

 surface fine for the reception of the seed, and giving 

 a depth of loose, friable earth, of not less than eigh- 

 teen inches, for the roots of the plants to penetrate 

 and seek their food in. A good depth of rich soil is 

 favourable to all plants, and indispensable to some. 

 In laying out and planting a garden for vegetable 

 culture, reference will usually be had more to utility 

 and convenience than to mere appearance ; but even 

 the arrangement of the kitchen garden maybe made 

 to display correct taste, and the exemplification of 

 habits of order and neatness is rarely more J'onspic 



