The Garden. 



FIRST PRINCIPLES OF CULTIVATION. 



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HE proper growth of our cultivated crops 

 depends upon certain conditions of the air, 

 the soil, and water ; and that the labor of the 

 husbandman may be crowned with success he should 

 thoroughly understand those conditions, and endeavor 

 to secure such of them for his crops as he can com- 

 mand. The degree of light and heat, the state of the 

 atmosphere, and the supply of rain being beyond his 

 control, his attention may be directed to working the 

 soil in a manner calculated to produce the best 

 results in all weathers ; to the cultivation of the 

 crops best adapted to the climate, or meeting the 

 most ready sale ; the best means by which to keep 

 the land from becoming exhausted by continual 

 cropping, and the possibility of obtaining a supply of 

 water for irrigation in times of drought. 



All systems of gardening should be acted upon 

 with some discrimination ; that is to say, while pro- 

 per attention be paid to the general directions and 

 rules laid down, allowance must be made for the 

 difference and variety of soils, of situation, and of 

 climate, which require a strict attention to the mode 

 of management peculiarly adapted to each ; and it is 

 the almost proverbial inattention to those important 

 points which is the chief cause of that want of success 

 which proves often so discouraging to the inexperienced 

 cultivator. 



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