726 Account of Regulations 



work, and especially in making entrenchments. By 

 cultivating his garden he becomes used to work, and 

 acquires skill in the use of the shovel ; and if, after the 

 expiration of his term of service, he goes back to the 

 country, this knowledge cannot be otherwise than of 

 great service to him in his farmer's work ; because it is 

 perfectly certain that the peasant who has first served 

 as gardener will do his work in the fields more skil- 

 fully and neatly than another who does not possess 

 this advantage. 



Besides all this, there is another matter to be con- 

 sidered, which the statesman will certainly not regard 

 as unimportant ; and this is the considerable increase 

 in the necessaries of life (the first true wealth of all 

 States) which has been brought about by the military 

 gardens. 



According to a calculation made by an expert and 

 very able man, the court gardener Skell, in the single 

 military garden at Manheim there were raised in the 

 year 1790 vegetables amounting to 10,000 florins in 

 value. Previously this piece of ground had never pro- 

 duced more than 500 florins annually. 



This estimated difference of 9500 florins in the annual 

 produce of one piece of ground may be all the more 

 justly regarded as so much gained by the State, because 

 it is perfectly evident that, if the soldier had not culti- 

 vated his garden, he would have spent his time to no 

 good purpose, but would have wasted it in idleness in 

 the barracks, as was the case formerly. Those soldiers 

 who could obtain work among the citizens of the gar- 

 rison towns have certainly never given this up on 

 account of their gardens. This is so far from being the 

 case, that it is well known, especially here in Bavaria, 



