BUIST'S 

 FAMILY KITCHEN GARDENER. 



THE FORMATION OF A VEGETABLE OR KITCHEN 

 GARDEN, &c. 



Before proceeding with the subject of vegetable culture, 

 the attention of the reader is requested to some remarks on 

 the formation of a Kitchen Garden. This subject is forced 

 upon us by a knowledge of how much labor and money are 

 expended in producing one misplaced, badly designed, and 

 unproductive — a most unpleasant attendant upon a country 

 life ; when, by the same labor and expense, one could have 

 been obtained that would have yielded liberally every pleasure, 

 every comfort, and even every luxury for a bountiful table. 



The situation most suitable is a very gentle inclination to- 

 ward the east or south-east, that it may have all the advan- 

 tages of the morning sun. The next preferable exposure is 

 south or south-west ; if sheltered from the north or north-west, 

 60 much the better. However, avoid the neighborhood of 

 large and spreading trees, as their roots will exhaust the soilj 

 and their shade injure the crops. 



In selecting the ground, it is of vast importance to have the 

 soil of a healthy quality, being mellow, dry, and capable of 

 being worked with the spade. The best soils are of a friabla 

 and loamy texture ; the worst, those of a very light sandy or 

 of a stiff clayey description. 



If the bottom or subs^oil be retentive, trench the ground at 



