12 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



lost m watcliing its progress ; it is in danger of being ne- 

 glected ; and even if this is not the case, its choicest pro- 

 ducts may gratify the palate of any one besides its owner. 

 A good arrangement is to place them in immediate con- 

 nection with the pleasure-ground, proceeding from the 

 shrubbery to the fruit department, and thence to the 

 kitchen-garden. The latter should be near the stables, in 

 order that it may be copiously replenished with manure 

 without too great expenditure of labor. 



Much, however, depends upon the soil. The best at 

 command, in the vicinity of the dwelling, should be chosen. 

 Proximity to water is also highly important, especially if 

 it can be readily employed for irrigation. Low situations 

 are more endangered by late and early frosts, but their 

 abundant moisture renders them desirable for summer 

 crops. A diversity of soils and exposures in the same in- 

 closure is desirable. 



Care should be taken that the pfoductiveness of the garden 

 be not diminished by the proximity of large trees, which 

 are injurious by their drip to all plants beneath them, and 

 J)y their shade and extended roots to those more remote. 

 The small fibrous roots of trees extend far beyond their 

 branches, and one is not safe from these devourers much 

 - short of the length of the stem which they nourish. If 

 trees exist too valuable to be removed, dig a deep trench 

 near them, and cut off all roots that extend into it. This 

 will probably relieve the adjacent crops from their inju- 

 rious effects. 



Aspect and Inclination. — A slight exposure to the 

 south and east is generally recommended. All good 

 gardeners^ake pride in having early crops, and this com- 

 pensates in some measure for their short duration in such 

 an exposure. A north-eastern aspect is to be avoided, as 



