280 



CULINARY GARDENING. 



BOGS I. 



into any degree of fruitfulness. Let me add here, that these 

 two opposite effects of different soils afford excellent ideas for 

 improving the soil of borders, either in the open air or hot- 

 houses, and either with a view to make the trees produce more 

 wood or more fruit. It is particularly adapted for vines and 

 stone fruits ; for cutting the roots of these, and especially of 

 vines, is generally less successful, and is always attended with 

 greater risk, than on other trees : of this I had lately a striking 

 proof, by the shameful conduct of a gardener when about to 

 leave his situation. Other particulars respecting the culture, 

 training, priming, and management of the vine might be men- 

 tioned, were it suitable to this work. In every topic or parti- 

 cular of vegetable culture there are numerous and important 

 effects which may be produced by the simplest means, if we 

 but advert to nature, from which the most important precepts 

 in this branch of knowledge are obtained. But it is long before 

 mankind, especially the practical part of them, can throw off 

 the shackles of habit and prejudice ; and thence any thing of a 

 remarkable nature which is produced in these arts is commonly 

 discovered or effected by accident. It is then either told to the 

 world as a wonder or singularity — wrapt up under a dark re- 

 ceipt, like a quack medicine — or concealed, as an invaluable 

 secret until a suitable reward be offered to the inventor. So 

 contracted and imperfect are the general ideas of husbandry in 

 this island, that even public bodies of the first importance have 



