THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



stood, nor the benefits arising from them less appreciated, in 

 the neighbourhood of our manufacturing towns, where the 

 confined and sedentary Ufe of the inhabitants requires food of 

 a hghter nature, and of more easy digestion, than is required 

 by those, who are employed in the more active and laborious 

 professions of life. With the conviction, therefore, that the 

 cultivation of vegetables is of so much importance to society, 

 *^ we should use all diligence in the proper cultivation of the 

 soil, well knowing that the more we do to it, the more will it 

 return to us its fruits in abundance." 



The first and chief object tow^ards obtaining a good garden 

 is to be particular in the choice of a favorable situation ; for, 

 if this be not attended to, all hope of luxuriant crops must be 

 abandoned. The second is to make choice of a good soil. 

 Sometimes both of these grand objects are to be met with 

 naturally in the same place, and often both of them have to be 

 assisted, or the deficiencies supplied by art. But wherever a 

 situation naturally presents itself, that is sheltered from cutting 

 winds and well exposed to the influence of the sun^ and the 

 elevation sufficiently great to be above the ill effects of damp 

 vapours, and yet at the same time not too high nor too cold, 

 and the soil good, many sacrifices should be made for its 

 adoption. Natural situations are generally much better than 

 artificial ones, and always more agreeable to the economist. 



Much has been said, and not without great justice, regard- 

 ing the choice of a situation ; and as it is of the last import- 

 ance, both for the growth and flavour of all culinary productions 

 as well as for the general features of the other parts of a resi- 

 dence, we will make it the first subject of our disquisition. 

 In all places, where circumstances will permit, the kitchen- 

 garden should be placed at such a distance from the mansion 

 as to be concealed from the view, particularly from the prin- 

 cipal windows; but although it is here recommended to be 

 hidden fi'om the house, it does not thence follow, that it should 

 be cooped up in an obscure corner of the park or plantations, 

 neither should it be, as it were, engi'afted on the farm-build- 

 ings, which is too often the case in very considerable places 

 in this country. The distance which it should be fi:om the 

 house must necessarily depend on a variety of circumstances, 



