30 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



exposed to the action of the air, by which means it becomes 

 softened, as it is technically called, and more fit to enter into 

 the parts of vegetable economy. When water abomids upon 

 gi-ounds more elevated than the garden, the advantage should 

 not be lost sight of, as, at a moderate expense, a regular and 

 constant supply of water can be brought, either in pipes of lead 

 or earthenware ; or, which is still more economical, where cir- 

 cumstances will allow, in an open drain; and, to use the 

 phrase of an antiquated writer on this subject, this will prove 

 tlie life and soul of the garden. 



Reservoirs of considerable magnitude have been formed, nGw 

 only in gardens, but also in their immediate vicinity, suffi- 

 ciently capacious to contain all the water, which is collected on 

 the hot-houses, and other buildings, attached to the garden. 

 One of the most complete, as well as the most capacious of 

 this description, has been lately formed by Mr. Forrest, at 

 Sion-House, the Duke of Northumberland's, and is constructed 

 entirely of iron. This is, however, a more expensive mode of 

 building reservoirs than many, from prudential motives, would 

 be inclined to adopt ; the convenience, nevertheless, of such a 

 reservoir will be the same, with this simple objection, that as it 

 is some feet below the level of the garden, the expense of 

 pumping it up will be considerable. Reservoirs should, in our 

 opinion, be placed at such a height above the surface of the 

 ground, as to admit of the water being dispersed over the whole 

 of the walls in particular, by means of a portable pipe, as 

 recommended by Hay, and adopted by many other horticul- 

 turists. Where circumstances will admit of it^ partial irriga- 

 tion will be found extremely useful in gardens, particularly in 

 the height of summer, and during severe droughts. The se- 

 rious injury effected by the last three dry seasons is strongly 

 corroborative of the truth of the foregoing remark. Straw- 

 berries and raspberries, in particular, amongst the fruits ; and 

 celery, cauliflower, and several others, among the vegetables, 

 will be considerably improved by this mode of cultivation. 



In those places, where water cannot be procured from ele- 

 vated grounds, the various modes of digging wells, and bormg, 

 which is a late improvement of great value, may be resorted 

 to. In the former case, a pony or donkey could be usefully 



