THE SELECTION OF LAND 15 



In low-lying districts the spring frosts are apt to cause 

 much loss, which is to a great extent escaped on the 

 higher land. This is also the case in early autumn, 

 when many tender plants are cut off or seriously 

 damaged much sooner on the lowlands than on higher 

 though neighbouring elevations. 



The fact that river valleys are so often the sites of 

 extensive market gardening is due chiefly to the fertility 

 and workableness of the soil, though it is often partly 

 attributable to the vicinity of great cities, as in the 

 Metropolitan area. In many other respects they are 

 unfavourable, and the heavy losses experienced at times 

 are only made up by still more intensive cultivation, or 

 by the aid of glass-houses. 



The supply of water is an important item in this 

 matter, as not only is that more readily obtained near 

 rivers by artificial means than on high ground, but 

 there is usually abundance of moisture rising constantly 

 from the lower soil layers in hot weather, which exerts 

 an extremely beneficial influence far in advance of that 

 afforded by artificial supplies on the surface. For 

 vegetable crops and for flowers, apart from the danger of 

 frosts in spring and autumn, such positions are suitable, 

 but they are less so for fruits, though some thousands 

 of acres are devoted to them in similar situations. The 

 losses in these crops under such circumstances are 

 frequent but variable, and local protection, sloping 

 ground, aspect, and " air drainage" (i.e. free escape for 

 the cold heavy air to lower levels) all exercise some 

 influence in the direction of safety. 



Fences, hedges, or other boundaries with gates must 

 have close attention in securing property for market- 

 gardening, as if they are seriously defective heavy ex- 

 penses may be incurred subsequently. Be careful also 

 to ascertain exactly which hedges, etc., belong to the 

 property in question. There is not, as a rule, much 



