SECT V. 



OF PROPAGATION. 



61 



Let this direction for early fowing be underftood, 

 not only of fpring, but autumn crops ; that the plants 

 defigned for winter life* or to ftand for fpring, may- 

 be ftrong, and well eftablifhed in the ground : Though 

 for thofe defigned for fprmg, it is advifable to have 

 two or three different fowings; for lettuces (as an in- 

 fiance) that are forward, will fometimes fail when 

 backward plants fhall do well. 



To be Jure of a crop, and in fome things a fucceffion 

 of crops, various fowings fhould be made through 

 the year, at all times that are not too unnatural as to 

 feafon ; for it is an object in gardening, not only to 

 have early and late productions, but never to be with- 

 out what may be produced. Every fowing that is 

 made (the early ones in particular) fhould be noticed 

 in time, whether it is likely to fucceed, that the work 

 may be repeated. But a little caution is neceffary, that 

 th ; s bufinefs be not over done ; for though there may 

 feem to be a fufficient diftance ot time in fowing for 

 fucceffion crops ; yet they tread fometimes upon the 

 heete of one another fo faff as to occafion a difagree- 

 able fuperfluity : This is often the cafe in peas and beans, 

 in the height of fummer, and efpecially if a hot fea- 

 fon : this caution is the more neceffary, where there is 

 no ground to fpare, or but few hands to cultivate it. 

 Labour with difcretion. 



Sowings mould be generally performed on frefh dug 

 or fiirred ground. The digging fhould therefore" be 

 done as near the time defigned to Jow as can be. There 

 is a. nutricious moifture in frefh turned up foil, that 

 foftens the feed to fwell and germinate quickly, and 

 nouriihes it with proper aliment to proceed in its 

 growth with vigour, but which is evaporated foon 

 after from the furface. If the ground, indeed, turns up 

 raw, or wet (as early in the fpring it is apt to do) a 

 little time muff be allowed it to dry, and fo alfo if rain 

 falls firft. In this cafe, feed mould be fown as foon as 

 ever the ground may be trampled on not to hang to 



