FRENCH GARDENING 383 



So far from market - gardening being one of the 

 pleasantest and simplest of professions, it is, in some 

 respects, one of the most disagreeable and complicated. 

 To the ordinary risks of trade are added the troubles and 

 anxieties which arise from the changes of the weather, 

 and the responsibilities of dealing in perishable goods, 

 which have to be sold quickly, or they become worse 

 than valueless, costing nearly as much labour to destroy 

 as they have done to grow. And if these drawbacks are 

 not serious enough there is the additional one, ever 

 present with the market-grower, of insect or fungoid 

 enemies threatening to decimate and even destroy his 

 crops. 



If after consideration of these points there is still a 

 desire to pursue French gardening, and if, further, a 

 place that promises to present a good opening for produce 

 has been found, the next question is the site of the 

 garden. Perhaps the three most important matters are 

 good soil, shelter and an abundant supply of water under 

 pressure. 



A light, friable, loamy soil is desirable, because it 

 tends to give early crops ; and earliness is more im- 

 portant than bulk. It should not be considered that the 

 soil is of no real importance because the French system 

 of making terreau with manure is to prevail. Outdoor 

 crops will be necessary in some cases, indeed, for a con- 

 siderable part of the year they will hold the sway. But 

 light loamy soil is not vital, and heavier land will prove 

 its value with certain late crops, notably Celery, Onions, 

 Peas, Beans and green vegetables generally. 



Natural shelter, especially from the north and east, 

 will prove a great advantage, for it will break the strong 

 cutting winds, which do so much to lower the tempera- 

 ture of hotbeds in spring. If there is no shelter it ought 



