D. M. FERRY & GO'S 



generally also of soil, as it is thus adapted to both late and early crops, ^^^len 

 the drainage is good, a level is not undesirable, but whatever the situation or 

 aspect, the surface must be smooth and level. Care should be taken that the 

 productiveness of the garden be not diminished by the proximity of large trees, 

 which are injurious by their drip, to all plants beneath them, and by their shade 

 and extended roots, to those more remote. 



TttE soil. 



r-m SiJ£, 



A garden should be proportioned to the size of the family, and their parti- 

 ality for its different products. A small garden, well manured and cultivated, 

 with a suitable rotation of crops, will yield more pleasure and profit, than an 

 ordinary' one of three times its size. An active, industrious hand can take care 

 of an acre, well provided with hot-beds, cold frames, etc., keeping it in perfect 

 neatness and condition ; or, if the plow and cultivator be brought into requisi- 

 tion, as they should be in large gardens, four times that amount can be under 

 his care. If but little room can be allowed near the house. Cabbages, Carrots, 

 Turnips, Potatoes, and the common crops, can be grown in the field, if well 

 enriched, and cultivated with the plow and hoe. 



The form will often depend upon the situation of the garden, or inclination 

 of the ground ; however, it is of no great importance, and may be arranged to 

 suit the peculiar taste of the proprietor. ^Vhcn it is a matter of choice, a square 

 or parallelogram is most convenient for laying out the walks and beds. A par- 

 allelogram, extending from east to west, gives a long south wall for shading 

 plants in summer, and a long, sheltered border for forwarding early crops. In 

 plantation gardening, an oblong square shape has the further advantage of giv- 

 ing longer rows for the plow. 



The objects of fencing are to procure shelter for delicate plants from cold 

 winds ; also, shade for those that requre it, and above all, to keep out of the garden, 

 intruders of all kinds, that the OAATier may enjoy its fruits without molestation. 



In selecting the grounds, it is of the utmost importance to have the soil of 

 a healthy quality, being mellow, dn,-, and capable of being worked with a spade. 

 The best soils are of a friable and loamy texture ; the worst, those of a very 

 light sandy, or of a stiff, clayey description. In a garden designed for the cul- 

 tivation of a variety of plants, both sand and clay soils are desii-able. But the 

 best soil for general pui-poses, is a loam of medium texture, arising from a suita- 

 ble admixture of the two, as they reciprocally correct the defects of each other, 

 and with the addition of organic matter, form a soil suited to the cultivation of 

 nearly all garden productions. Any soil, with judicious culture, draining and 

 manures, can be converted into such a loam. 



