and Cottage Economy. 185 



And now, Sir, before I transmit these remarks to you, allow me to state 

 that I have recommended nothing which I have not either practised myself 

 or seen others practise with success. Still I am aware that many, very 

 many people will most conscientiously differ from me in opinion ; for, after 

 all, the truth may be, that 



" The difference is as great between 

 The optics seeing, as the objects seen." 



I am, Sir, yours, &c. 

 Jan. 23. 1830. A Practical Gardener. 



Art. IV. On the Extent and Culture of Cottage Gardens, the 

 live Stock of the Cottager, and various Points of Cottage Economy, 

 with reference to the Hints for Prizes for Papers on the Subject. 

 (Gard. Mag., vol. v. p. 713.) By J. P. 



Sir, 



It is with the highest degree of pleasure that I have read the pages of the 

 last Gardener's Magazine which are devoted to the most truly philanthropic 

 and benevolent purpose of ameliorating the condition of the labouring classes 

 of society, which we see, year after year, becoming more oppressed and de- 

 graded, and which will yet sink deeper into degradation and moral depravity 

 unless some timely means be devised to enable the agricultural labourer to 

 support himself and family without parochial assistance ; for we see the 

 paupers of every parish yearly increasing ; and it is the opinion of the most 

 experienced farmers that, in a little time, the land will not be able to sup- 

 port the poor, and the poor's rate must be paid whether the landlord gets his 

 rent or not. The farmers say, " Relieve us from the poor's rate, and we can 

 live and pay our rents." But how is that to be effected ? By nothing but 

 improving the condition of the labouring classes ; by letting them have a 

 portion of land to raise a sufficient quantity of vegetables, and to supply 

 them with the most common necessaries of life, of which, at this present 

 time, there are thousands of fellow-creatures that have barely sufficient to 

 support the cravings of nature ; or else submitting to the most servile de- 

 gradation, quite revolting to the feelings of a civilised people [the work- 

 house ?]. 



Every landlord that can devise any plan for the benefit of the poor, who 

 are dependent on his tenantry, ought to lose no time in bringing it forward ; 

 and every one that can suggest any means to better the condition of his 

 starving fellow-mortals, ought to come forward boldly and avow his senti- 

 ments : for it is certain that something must be done very soon (ere it be 

 too late). This has caused me to commence writer ; and, though I am 

 unable to transmit to you elegant compositions, yet what I do write shall 

 be founded on truth, either from facts which have come under my own 

 observation, or from the enquiries that I have made among labourers on 

 whom I can depend for the veracity of their information. The vegetables 

 that I shall recommend are those which are generally found in cottage 

 gardens : their culture as simple as is consistent with good management 

 to insure a crop ; for I conceive that the knowledge of the agricultural 

 labourer is not yet sufficient to appreciate the value of any new vegetable, 

 or any new mode of culture. I therefore wish to give him the best methods 

 which I have seen and practised myself of cultivating the vegetables in 

 common use ; and, as he improves in mental knowledge, and in the manage- 

 ment of his garden, any new vegetable may be recommended to him, as he 

 will then be able to perceive the benefit likely to result from its culture. A 



