PROPAGATION AND CHAP. 



62. Cultivation must, of course, differ, in some re- 

 spects, to suit itself to certain differences in the plants to 

 be cultivated ; but, there are some principles and rules, 

 which apply to the cultivation of all plants ; and it is of 

 these only that I propose to speak in the present Chapter. 



63. It is quite useless, indeed it is grossly absurd, to 

 prepare land and to incur trouble and expense, without 

 duly, and even very carefully, attending to the seed that 

 we are going to sow. The sort, the genuineness, the sound- 

 ness, are all matters to be attended to, if we mean to 

 avoid mortification and loss. Therefore, the first thing 

 is the 



SORT OF SEED. 



64. We should make sure here j for, what a loss to 

 have late cabbages instead of early ones ! As to beans, 

 peas, and many other things, there cannot easily be mis- 

 take or deception. But, as to cabbages, cauliflowers, 

 radishes, lettuces, onions, leeks, and numerous others, 

 the eye is no guide at all. If, therefore, you do not save 

 your awn seed (of the manner of doing which I shall speak 

 by and by), you ought to be very careful as to whom you 

 purchase of j and, though the seller be a person of per- 

 fect probity, he may be deceived himself. If you do not 

 save your own seed, which, as will be seen, cannot 

 always be done with safety ; all you can do, is, to take 

 every precaution in your power when you purchase. Be 

 very particular, very full and clear, in the order you give 

 for seed. Know the seedsman well, if possible. Speak 

 to him yourself on the subject, if you can ; and, in short, 

 take every precaution in your power, in order to avoid 



