420 AGRICULTURB. 



growth of many crops, during the summer monthsjcan be main- 

 tained in a soil which is only one spade deep. Hence, we would 

 , tremch or subsoil-plough all kitchen-gardens (taking care, first, that 

 they are well drained), whether sandy or clayey in texture. We 

 know that many persons, judging from theory rather than practice, 

 cannot see the value of deepening soils already too porous. But we 

 have seen its advantages strongly maiied in more than one instance, 

 and therefore recommend it with confidence. It is only necessary 

 to examine light soils, trenched and untrenched, to be convinced of 

 this. The roots in the former penetrate and gather nourishment 

 from twice the cubic area that they do in the former ; and they are 

 not half so easily affected T)y the atmospheric changes of tempera- 

 ture. . ~ , , 



Old gardens, that have been long cultivated, are greatly im- 

 proved by trenching and revei'sing the strata of soil. The inorganic 

 elements, or mineral food of plants, often become sq much exhausted 

 in long cultivated kitchen .gardens, that only inferior crops q^n be 

 raised, even with abundant supphes of animal manure. By turning 

 up the virgin loam of the subsoil, and exposing it to the action of 

 . the atmosphere, its gradual decomposition takes place, and fresh. ; 

 supplies of lime, potash, etc., are afforded for. the vigorous gro\^th 

 of plants. 



We have only room for a single hint more, touching the kitchen 

 garden. This, is, to recommend the annual use pf salt, in moderate 

 quantities, sown broadcast over the whole garden early in the spring, 

 and more especially on those quarters of it where vegetables are to 

 be planted which are most liable to the attacks of insects that hai'- 

 bor in the earth. We are satisfied that salt, spread in this way, 

 before vegetation has commenced, or the earth is broken up for 

 sowing seeds, at titie rate of ten bushels per acre, is one of: the best 

 possible applications to the soil. 



It destroys insects, acts specifically on the strength of the stems, 

 and healthy colot of the foliage of plants, assists porous soils in 

 collecting and retaining moisturej and is an admirable stimulant to 

 the growth of many vegetables^ In all the Atlantic States, where 

 it is easily" and (iheaply procured, it ought," therefore, to form an 

 annual top-dressing for the whole kitchen garden. 



