THE REQUIREMENTS OF THOROUGH CULTIVATION. 



What are the essentials of thorough cultivation ? Thi§ is 

 a question repeatedly asked, but not very readily answered ; 

 or, if answered, in such a varied and oftentimes indefinite 

 manner, as to puzzle the inquirer. By one, they are the use 

 of fertilizing composts ; by another, the aid of special ma- 

 nures ; by a third, thorough stirring and pulverization of the 

 soil ; by a fourth, liquid manure, or simple irrigation alone ; 

 by a fifth, trenching or subsoiling, and draining. Under 

 each and all of these modes satisfactory results have been 

 achieved, which have led those who severally practise them 

 to maintain the superiority of their own system, and to view 

 unfavorably, or with a prejudiced eye, all others. So wedded 

 does each become to his own course of cultivation, that he 

 is often unwilling to admit the success of those who accom- 

 plish equally as important results by very difl'erent means. 

 Hence the difficulty of laying down definite rules for a course 

 of practice, and also the unbelief in their value, when success 

 flows from quite dissimilar processes of treatment. It is the 

 province of horticultural science to reconcile these difi'erences, 

 if possible, and to point out some principles, or general modes 

 of action, which shall be reliable, varying only as circum- 

 stances of soil, location, &c., may render it necessary that 

 they should. Unless horticulture teaches this, it can scarcely 

 be dignified as an art of culture. 



Though the principles upon which all gardening operations 

 are conducted and carried out must ever remain the same, the 

 practice may be materially altered, according to circumstances. 

 Thus, in the climate of England, from whose eminent writers 

 we have obtained so many of our ideas of cultivation, the 

 rules laid down are not always applicable here. Our clear 

 and dry atmosphere — our sudden and copious showers, at very 

 irregular intervals — our intense heat and severe cold — our 

 bright sun, and less cloudy sky — very essentially modify or 



VOL. XXH. NO. II. 8 



