58 FAMILY RECEIPTS. 



although, by skilful cultivation, the quality may be 

 improved. 



The gooseberr}- and currant both claim the farmers 

 attention, and are much wanted in every family. They 

 furnish a cheap and early sauce, and the latter a wine 

 equal to the best Lisbon or Teneriffe. 



As you will doubtless wish to plant other trees, and 

 be desirous to know the best season for that work, I 

 would observe, as a general rule, that all kinds of trees 

 or shrubs should be moved or set in the spring, as soon, 

 at least, as the buds begin to swell. The apple tree, 

 the cherry, and plum, will grow, if set with art, when 

 the leaves begin to open, but not with health and vigor. 



JO INCREASE THE NU3IBER AND I31PROVE THE QUALITY 



OY PLANTS. 



To accomplish this, it is necessary to facilitate their 

 mode of nutrition, by removing all obstacles to the 

 progress of the plant. These obstacles may either ex- 

 ist under or above the surface; and hence the origin of 

 draining, clearing from the surface, incumbrances, and 

 .the various operations, as digging, ploughing, &c. for 

 pulverising the soil. It is necessary, or at least advan- 

 tageous to supply food artificially; and hence the origin 

 and benefit of manuring. All organised matters are 

 capable of being converted into the food of plants; but 

 the best manure for ameliorating the quality, and yet 

 retaining the peculiar chemical properties of plants, 

 must necessarily be decayed plants of their own 

 .species. 



It is true that plants do not differ greatly in their 

 primary principles, and that a supply of any descrip- 

 tion of putrescent manure will cause all plants to 

 thrive; but some plants, such as wheat and rye, contain 

 pecuhar substances as gluten and phosphate of lime, 

 and some manures, as those of animals or decayed wheat 

 and rye, containing the same substances, must necessa- 

 rily be a better food or manure for such plants. The 

 regulation of moisture demands attention; for when the 

 soil is pulverised, it is more easily dried by the penetra- 



