180 Cottage Gardens, live Stock of the Cottager ; 



By way of experiment, a handful or two of Cobbett's dwarf Indian corn 

 may be planted, in the latter end of April, round the edges of the potato plot, 

 or against a fence with a warm aspect ; but the corn must be planted consi- 

 derably thicker than what Mr. Cobbett recommends. In order to produce 

 a crop worth growing, 9 or 10 in. in the row is wide enough ; and, as single 

 rows only can be grown in this case, the corn might even be planted thicker. 

 In favourable situations, I know that it will ripen well. Indian corn is good 

 for fowls, and excellent for fattening pigs ; but it must not be given in too 

 large quantities at a time to the latter, for it is of a very heating nature. * 



Fruit Trees I have entirely omitted, because I think f, upon the whole, 

 a small garden, such as I have described, is better without them. However, 

 against his cottage let him train currants, gooseberries, cherries, apples, 

 pears, or any sort of fruit tree he can procure, likely to thrive. Nor should 

 I object to, but would rather encourage, the cultivation of a few carnations, 

 picotees, pinks, Brompton and ten-week stocks, &c, with which he might 

 ornament his little dwelling. % In doing the work necessary to crop and clean 

 a garden of 20 rods § of land as I have directed, no labouring man who has 



are no criterion for the regulation of these operations. — A Friend to the 

 Cottager. 



No plant is so much improved by deep pronging or mattocking between 

 the rows, as the potato. With this treatment it will grow most vigorously 

 in the driest weather, and in a very poor soil. — Cond. 



* Respecting the propriety of introducing Indian corn, I am decidedly 

 opposed to it, as no dependence can be placed on its successful cultivation. 

 Our climate is not adapted to this species of grain, and I very much ques- 

 tion if it ever will answer in this country, except in very favourable situations. 

 If its cultivation were practicable with certainty, I would most strongly ad- 

 vocate its adoption ; but I require a little more proof that it will answer in 

 this country before I should consider myself justified in recommending it as 

 a proper corn for the cottager to cultivate. My objection, I would be under- 

 stood, rests solely on the unfitness of the climate ; for the grain would be 

 a favourite with me. I have sufficiently proved it to make myself perfectly 

 satisfied with it as a wholesome, palatable, and nourishing food ; and, if I 

 have said little on its merits, it is because I consider it useless in this coun- 

 try, and not from any antipathy towards it as a proper species of aliment. — 

 A Countryman. 



On dry, warm, sandy soils south of York, we think Indian corn may be 

 well worth cultivating in the cottager's garden for the purposes of feeding 

 pigs and poultry. At Sandy, in Bedfordshire, it produced, in the very un- 

 favourable season of 1829, at the rate of 105 bushels per acre, equal to 

 3 tons of good meal for feeding stock. Wheat, barley, peas, or beans, will 

 not average 15cwt. of meal per acre. (Gard. Mag., vol. vi. p. 103.) 



■f The roots of the hop may be brought from the hedges, and planted in 

 corners of the garden ; their tops are very wholesome, and are as tender as 

 asparagus ; they climb and make a good summer-house. — Shibboleth. 



J These flowers and prize gooseberries are well known to be great 

 sources of amusement, and of harmless betting, to the Lancashire and other 

 weavers and mechanics. We should wish to see fruit trees, ornamental 

 shrubs, climbers, and flowers in every cottager's garden, with bees, poultry, 

 rabbits (if only for the children), a singing-bird, pigeons, and a cat and a 

 dog. Nature has kindly ordained all these little matters to be great things 

 in the eyes of the owner and his children. — Cond. 



§ Fifty perches of land, exclusive of that occupied by the buildings and 

 pigyard, are sufficient to supply every requisite culinary vegetable, including 

 potatoes, to a labourer's family, and to his live stock ; the former consisting 



