21 G GiARDilNIKSv 



large to raise many of the useful and various kinds of 

 vegetables and fruits, which contribute to the suste- 

 nance, comfort, and pleasufre of life Such fruit trees, 

 which make but little shade, as grapes, currents, quinces, 

 &c. may be very ag'reeably intermixed with the growths 

 of the kitchen-garden. It will be found that a garden 

 of this kind should not contain in general less than a 

 quarter of an acre. But if the family is large, half, or 

 three quarters of an acre ought to be cultivated as a 

 garden. It is probable, that matters may be so arrang- 

 ed, that a farmer may, with the assistance of his familj^, 

 cultivate such a portion of ground, without improperly 

 interfering with regular labour. It should be enclosed 

 with a high close fence, which besides rendering every 

 thing secure ; serves to keep off the strong cold winds 

 of Spring, which are very injurious to the young plants, 

 and also to the fruit, which is then about putting forth. 



Tools. The most important instrument in the farm- 

 er's garden, is the plough. The spade is the next in- 

 strument. This may be thin and sharp, and if used on- 

 ly in the garden, will last many years. The hoe is an 

 indispensable tool, aad of this you must ha', e three va- 

 rieties : the large, the small, and narrow hoe, all of which 

 should be sharp, and kept exclusively for the garden. 

 Two iron rakes, a coarse and tine one, will often be 

 wanted ; and a strong line of at least 40 feet in length. 

 A rake can be made in about 30 minutes, which will 

 mari: out more ground for the gardener to seed than four 

 men could perform in the common way in equal length 

 of time. The head of the rake is to be about 6 i'eet 

 long; into this, bore holes with an inch auger, at such 

 distances as you wish to have the seed sown ; put in 

 teeth, sharpened at their lower ends ; and attach a han- 

 dle 5 or 6 feet long. The head of the rake should be 

 eufficiently heavy, and the handle and teeth should be 

 at right angles. Begin at the left hand end of the bed 

 and draw the rake across it ; then proceed, taking care 

 to keep the left hand tooth in the right hand drill that 

 has just been made (for a guide.) In this way a pretty 

 long bed is formed into straight drills in a very few min- 

 utes. Wiih these few and simple tools, all the work of 

 a garden may be done, and well done ; and if to these 



