KITCHEN-GARDENING. 21 



tance apart. It therefore follows, tliat if one liimdred loads be 

 allowed to tlie acre, each load must be divided into three 

 heaps. If seventy-five loads only be allowed, every load must 

 be divided into four heaps, and so on in proportion to the 

 quantity allowed. But if the gardener should choose to drop 

 his heaps five paces, or fifteen feet apart, he may make such 

 distribution of his loads as to have one hundred and ninety- 

 three heaps on the acre of land ; in which case, by dividing 

 each load into four heaps, he will require only forty-eight loads 

 to cover the acre, and he may decrease the quantity still more, 

 by allowing greater distances from heap to heap, or by divid- 

 ing his loads into smaller proportions, so as to accommodate 

 himself to whatever quantity of manure he may allot to any 

 given quantity of ground. 



THE VITALITY OF SEEDS. 



As it may not be generally known that some kinds of seed 

 are apt to lose their vegetative qualities much sooner than 

 others, the following hints are subjoined as some rule for the 

 gardener's government, provided the seed is carefully pre- 

 served, and not exposed to excess of heat, air, or dampness : — 



Parsnip, Rhubarb, and other light, scale-like seeds, cannot 

 be safely trusted after they are a year old. Beans and Peas 

 of different species, Capsicum, Carrot, Cress, Leek, Nastur- 

 tium, Okra, Onion, Salsify, Scorzonera, and small herb-seed in 

 general, may be kept two years. Artichoke, Asparagus, Egg- 

 plant, Endive, Fetticus, Lettuce, Mustard, Parsley, Skirret, and 

 Spinach-seed, may with care be preserved three years. Broc- 

 coli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Celery, Kale, Radish, and Turnip- 

 seed will keep four years, if properly attended to. Beet, 

 Cucumber, Gourd, Melon, Pumpkin, and Squash ; also Burnet, 

 Chervil, and Sorrel-seed, have been known to grow freely when 

 five, and even seven years old ; but it is not prudent to ven- 

 ture seed in the garden, or any other place, when there are 

 any apprehensions that any portion of it has lost its vitality by 

 age, or in any other way. 



