THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 77 



especially evergreen hedges — are, when well grown, a 

 good form of shelter, but their roots are far reaching 

 and rob the borders in their vicinity. In quite small 

 gardens wooden fences are next best to walls, but they 

 are not usually picturesque, at anyrate until they have 

 become covered with fruit trees. A high fence of split 

 oak is infinitely preferable to one of tarred deal boards, 

 and in the long run is more economical, as decay soon 

 manifests itself in the less permanent woods. 



Many of the older kitchen gardens would be better if 

 entirely remodelled. At present their usefulness is 

 sadly impaired by the inclusion of features which have 

 no business there at all. Often we find them dotted 

 with old fruit trees, whose overhanging branches rob 

 them of light and air, and whose roots, spreading in all 

 directions, impoverish the soil, and render proper cul- 

 ture impossible. These should be cut down, and their 

 roots, or as many of them as can be got at, grubbed up 

 and burnt. Any worn out specimen trees, clumps of 

 bushes, privet or laurel thickets, tumble-down arbours 

 (of which there are many), and other relics of the past, 

 may follow them to the pyre ; their presence only means 

 dirt, poverty and decay. No one who cares for the 

 beauty of gardens will tolerate trees and plants which 

 are obviously mere cumberers of the ground. By 

 putting in the saw and mattock, we clear the way for 

 brighter and more healthy conditions, and no false senti- 

 ment should be allowed to stand in the way of much- 

 needed reforms in the vegetable and fruit grounds. 



The next point to ensure is good soil, this being the 

 keynote of successful culture. The best form of pre- 

 paration, as a rule, is to trench or double-dig the whole 

 area, taking care, however, that the poorer subsoil is not 

 brought to the surface, but simply broken up and 

 allowed to remain where it is. On light, sandy soils 

 much good may be done by liberal enrichment with cow 



