INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 9 



to be grown, choosing the site to suit the subject, and treating 

 it accordingly; and the dimensions of each plot will, of course, 

 coincide with the size of the crop it is intended to carry. These 

 necessary details being satisfactorily arranged long before 

 planting or sowing time it will be as well to commit the arrange- 

 ments to paper in the shape of a detailed and descriptive plan. 



Much benefit will be derived from an adherence to the usual 

 and delightfully old-fashioned style of kitchen-garden that 

 which combines to produce an artistic admixture of vegetable, 

 fruit, and flower. This is usually effected by the planting of a 

 belt of dwarf bush, cordon, or espalier fruits (regulated by 

 the extent, shape, and position of the garden) about four to 

 six feet from the principal pathways, thus cutting off a service- 

 able border from the main portion of the vegetable quarters, 

 which can be utilized with charming effect as a flower-border, 

 and may also contain herbs and ornamental vegetable subjects. 

 The path will thus run between two borders that next the 

 fence or wall, and the one just indicated. The purposes of the 

 flower-border are to serve as a screen, a setting, to the some- 

 what sombre uniformity of the vegetables growing beyond it ; 

 and also to provide a sweet-smelling, eye-pleasing antidote to 

 the cruder aspect and perhaps inodorous indispensable adjuncts 

 of the vegetable quarters. There is much to recommend this 

 floral border ; and even in the smallest vegetable plot a row or 

 edging of dwarf or semi-dwarf flowers will be greatly appre- 

 ciated ; and for such a purpose the Herb section (pages 121-142) 

 will be found to offer subjects combining both utility and 

 decoration with a delicious fragrance. 



When the general laying-out of the kitchen-garden is com- 

 pleted to the gardener's satisfaction, attention is next directed 

 to the preparation and manipulation of the soil ; but the wise 

 cultivator will first of all make himself acquainted with the 

 composition, needs, and every characteristic of the earth with 

 which he has to deal, and from which he expects a fair return 

 for labour, expense, and thought. And when he has mastered 

 and thoroughly understands the essential fundamental 

 principles governing horticultural effort, he will have laid 

 the foundation of, and made great progression towards, the 

 ideal garden. 1 



1 Should fuller information concerning these matters be sought by the reader, 

 I can do no better than recommend a perusal of my previous book, Spade- 

 craft, wherein is portrayed in simplest words the detailed fundamentals of ix 

 garden operations. 



