Xlll 

 THE 



FORMATION OF A KITCHEN GARDEN. 



IT may not, perhaps, prove unacceptable to the 

 amateur gardener, if, in this place, and before enter- 

 ing into the necessary details of the work, the author 

 gives some general directions as to the best method 

 of preparing and laying out a kitchen-garden, 

 which in all cases requires much consideration; 

 since, next to a badly designed, ill-placed house, a 

 misplaced, ill-arranged, and unproductive kitchen- 

 garden is the greatest evil of a country residence. 



The situation most suitable for the purpose should, 

 if practicable, have a gentle declination towards the 

 south, so that it may at all times have the full ad- 

 vantage of the sun ; it should be well sheltered by 

 plantations, but by no means shaded or confined; 

 nor should the trees be planted too near the wall 

 or boundary fence, as the roots are apt to run into 

 the garden, thereby impoverishing the soil. 



In selecting the ground, it is of considerable im- 

 portance to have the soil of a good and healthy 

 quality, being sufficiently dry, mellow, and capable 

 of being easily worked with the spade : the best is 

 that of a rich, friable, and dark loamy texture ; the 

 worst, that of a light, sandy, and stiff clayey descrip- 

 tion. 



Where the nature of the subsoil is retentive, great 



