GARDENING. 87 



The water used for watering vegetables, if taken 

 from a well or cold spring, shovld be exposed one day 

 at least to the shining of the sun, otherwise it will give 

 a chill to the plants. Only a small quantity should be 

 applied at once, that it may have an effect similar to 

 that of a refreshing rain: for water applied too plenti- 

 fully sometimes washes away the finest of the mould 

 from the roots, or makes little cavities about them, 

 which admit too much air. 



A NEW AND EFFECTUAL WAY TO DESTROY BUGS IN A 



GARDEN. 



On every square rod planted with cucumbers, put a 

 piece of a board flat on the ground, to preserve your 

 plants from a striped bug, which some seasons is very 

 destructive. This simple experiment may seem to be 

 novel and ineffectual: but the secret of the matter is, 

 the board forms a shelter for a toad, which hops from 

 under the cover at night and destroys the bugs, and 

 during the day time may be found by turning over the 

 board. Should any one have doubts on the subject, he 

 can easily try the experiment. 



DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING FLOWER-GARDENS. 



As a general principle, almost every thing that grows, 

 thrives best in a rich soil; there are a few exceptions, 

 but they are so trifling, that this rule may be laid down 

 for all practical purposes: therefore make your ground 

 rich; decayed vegetable matter from the woods is best: 

 for a flower-garden; dig and turn it well over, and 

 make it level; then rake it smooth; if it is well dug, 

 it will be perfectly level, therefore the raking is 

 necessary only to make it smooth and fine. In small 

 gardens, where there is not space for picturesque de- 

 lineations, neatness must be the prevailing characteristic. 

 "A variety of forms may be indulged in, provided the 

 figures are graceful and neat, and not in any one place 

 too complicated. An oval is a figure that generally plea- 

 ses, on account of the continuity of its outlines; next, if 

 extensive, a circle. But hearts, diamonds, or triangles, 



