BORDERS OR PREPARED BEDS. 55 
allotted portion of work, to supply the structure of the 
lant with wholesome food. Effectual drainage has not 
antil lately received that share of attention among culti- 
yators generally which its benefits ought to command, and 
aven at the ~~ day, there is a great want of proper 
an respecting it. T’o a person who is contented 
to go along ea over the ground, sowing seed, and 
teaving the rest to Nature, it is a difficult problem to 
selve, how the conducting away water in land that is 
already too dry and hard in summer can be of any ser- 
vice. hanks to science and agricultural chemistry, this 
is now made so clear, by having been so often explained, 
with examples here and there as proofs, that the mystery 
1s, how men can still remain so blind to their own interests, 
or entertain any prejudice against what has been so prac 
tically demonstrated. 
Although it is recommended above to make the whole 
of the borders at once, which is only one trouble and ex- 
pense, and will answer very well; yet it is much better 
to prepare the drainage as advised, and make only half. 
viz.: that part next to the house, of properly prepared — 
compost, filling in the other with the intended base soil 
a little enriched, and after the first season’s ita work 
up in the following fall, into the half of the ed 
portion, the same quantity of fertilizing sasuke as the 
former half was mixed with. In the spring, before grow- 
ing commences, this may be again forked over, which will 
inewrporate all more evenly, and the next fall the remain. 
| —_ oe Gees 
