THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 



25 



vitality ; and this will not surprise the gardener, 

 who knows how frequently seeds of the same plant 

 — e.g., Frimula japonica — sown on the same day, and 

 under apparently identical circumstances, germinate 

 at very irregular intervals. In any case, the reader 

 wiU do well to exercise scepticism as to the tales 

 of extremely prolonged extension of vitality, as in 

 the case of the so-called mummy wheat, such cases 

 being usually attributable either to faulty observa- 

 tion or wilful imposture. 



matters, the result is likely to prove a perpetual 

 source of irritation and disappointment, to say 

 nothing of real loss. A kitchen garden entailing 

 only the needful amount of labour can be made 

 highly productive, where these considerations are 

 given effect to in connection with its formation. 

 Too frequently it is the practice, in connection 

 with building new houses, for the architect to choose 

 the site of the garden without bestowing any thought 

 upon these needful considerations ; whereas, those 



£\-.>-*^'*t^ 



Fig. 11,— Stem of Cactus, the swollen tissues of which are laden with nutritive material. 



THE KITCHEN GAiiDEN. 



By William Eakley. 



SITE. SIZE. SOIL. 



THE kitchen garden, being that wherein vegetables 

 and indeed fruits are grown for domestic uses, 

 is necessarily an essential and important department. 

 It is intimately associated with the economy of 

 " home," and is, like all divisions of the garden, a 

 luxury, having the advantage of being, when pro- 

 perly utilised, self-supporting. In view of its great 

 usefulness, and that it is indispensable, far more 

 consideration should be given to its formation, &c., 

 than is customary, in regard to site, proper appor- 

 tionment of size according to the demands likely to 

 be made upon it, soil, shape, disposition, &c. When 

 proper deliberation or study is not given to these 



versed in such matters should always be consulted, 

 in order to obtain the best-arranged whole. 



The Site. — Considering this in relation to the 

 house and the other parts of the residence, the 

 site of the kitchen garden should be one con- 

 venient of approach therefrom, through and beyond 

 the flower garden, or an ante-garden devoted to 

 floral embellishment, possessing agreeable features. 

 It should also be so arranged as to be convenient 

 to the stable-yard, from whence an entrance should 

 exist, in view of obtaining and utilising such 

 materials as are usually carted from thence into the 

 garden. 



The aspect due south is always desirable, in view 

 of securing more favourably the sunshine of the 

 earl}' spring months. Level ground is most con- 

 venient generally, though a, site having somewhat 



