THE CULINARY GARDEN, 51 



For the more convenient preparation of compost manures, a 

 piece of ground, to which all fertilizing matter is to be car- 

 ried, should be enclosed near the garden, and so situated as 

 to enjoy the full influence of sun and rain, there to be incor- 

 porated, fermented, and prepared for the several purposes for 

 which they may be wanted. In this place should also be 

 accumulated all sorts of moulds, for the greater convenience of 

 having them ameliorated, and rendered fit for their destined 

 purposes; either to be mixed in composition with other ma- 

 nures, or to be used simply for the growth of peculiar plants, 

 or for improving and renewing such pieces of garden-land as 

 may require it. In collecting these moulds, recourse must be 

 had to the fields and commons, where they are to be obtained. 

 No pains should be spared in collecting a sufiicient quantity, 

 and they should be applied with an unsparing hand to those 

 parts of the garden which may require them. But when it 

 happens, as is often the case from a variety of circumstances, 

 that moulds of good quality cannot be easily procured, a rigid 

 care must be taken of them, as they will be required for some 

 of the more delicate plants ; and substitutes must be devised 

 when such moulds are not to be had in their primitive state, 

 which may be effected by blending substances of opposite prin- 

 ciples, which often produce a compound extremely well cal- 

 culated to promote the welfare of certain plants. No oppor- 

 tunity should be lost in collecting earths of various sorts from 

 all places where they are to be procured. The scrapings of 

 turnpike roads are a useful manure in strong lands, provided 

 the roads be composed of gravelly or chalky materials. Thus 

 road-sand formed of pounded flints, which is often to be met 

 with, is not only an excellent manure and a lightener of strong 

 lands, but also makes very good walks, which are both dry and 

 easily kept clean. 



The following method of obtaining a cheap and efficacious 

 manure, is recommended by Mr. James Reed, of Bristol. 

 Raise a platform of earth, on any spare piece of land, eight 

 feet wide, one foot high, and of any length according to the 

 quantity wanted. On the first stratum of earth lay a thin 

 stratum of lime, fresh from the kiln ; dissolve or slack this with 

 brine from the rose of a watermg-pot, and immediately add 



