IV.] 



CULTIVATION IN GENERAL. 



41 



many plants which can be propagated by no other- means ; and, 

 of these the radish and the oak are two. Let me just qualify 

 here, by observing that I enter not into the deep question (which 

 so many have puzzled their heads with) of equivocal generation. I 

 confine myself to things of which we have a certain knowledge. 



60. With regard to propagation by means other than that of 

 seed, I shall speak of it fully enough under the names of the 

 several plants which are, as to the way of propagating them, to 

 be considered as exceptions to the general rule. Therefore, I 

 shall, in the present Chapter, treat of propagation by seed only. 



61. Cultivation must, of course, differ, in some respects, to suit 

 itself to certain differences in the plants to be cultivated ; but 

 there are some principles and rules which apply to the cultiva- 

 tion of all plants ; and it is of these only that I propose to speak 

 in the present Chapter. 



62. It is quite useless, indeed it is grossly absurd, to prepare 

 land and to incur trouble and expense, without duly, and even 

 very carefully, attending to the seed that we are going to sow^ The 

 sort, the genuineness, the soundness, are all matters to be attended 

 to, if we mean to avoid mortification and loss. Therefore, the 

 first thing is the 



SORT OF SEED. 



63. We should make sure here ; for, what a loss to have late 

 cabbages instead of early ones J As to beans, peas, and many 

 other things, there cannot easily be mistake or deception. But, 

 as to cabbages, cauliflowers, radishes, lettuces, onions, leeks, and 

 numerous others, the eye is no guide at all. If, therefore, you 

 do not save your own seed, (of the manner of doing which I shall 

 speak by and by), you ought to be very careful as to whom you 

 purchase of ; and, though the seller be a person of perfect pro- 

 bity, he may be deceived himself. If you do not save your own 

 seed, which, as will be seen, cannot always be done with safety • 

 all you can do is to take every precaution in your power when 

 you purchase. Be very particular, very full and clear, in the order 

 you give f^r seed. Know the seedsman well, if possible. Speak 

 to him yourself on the subject, if you can ; and, in short, take 

 every precaution in your power, in order to avoid the mortifications 

 like those of having one sort of cabbage when you expected 

 another, and of having rape when you expected turnips or ruta baga. 



