PROPAGATION AND CHAP. 



81. Notwithstanding this list, I always sow new seed 

 in preference to old, if, in all other respects, I know the 

 new to be equal to the old. And, as 'to the notion, that 

 seeds can be the better for being old, even more than a 

 year old, I hold it to be monstrously absurd : and this 

 opinion I give as the result of long experience, most at- 

 tentive observation, and numerous experiments made for 

 the express purpose of ascertaining the fact. 



89. Yet, it is a received opinion, a thing taken for 

 granted, an axiom in horticulture, that melon seed is 

 the better for being old. MR. MARSHALL says, that 

 it ought to be " about four years old, though some 

 prefer it much older." And he afterwards observes, 

 that " if new seed only can be had, it " should be 

 carried a week or two in the breeches-pocket, " to 

 dry away some of the more watery particles ! " If 

 age be a recommendation in rules as well as in melon- 

 seed, this rule has it ; for, English authors published it, 

 and French authors laughed at it, more than a century 

 past ! 



83. Those who can afford to have melons raised in 

 their gardens, can afford to keep a conjuror to raise 

 them 3 and a conjuror will hardly condescend to follow 

 common sense in his practice. This would be lowering 

 the profession in the eyes of the vulgar j and, which 

 would be very dangerous, in the eyes of his employer. 

 However, a great deal of this stuff" is traditionary 3 and 

 how are we to find the conscience to blame a gardener 

 for errors inculcated by gentlemen of erudition ! 



