52 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



another layer of earth ; then Hme and brine as before, carrying 

 it to any convenient height. In a week, it should be turned 

 over, carefully broken and mixed, so that the whole mass 

 may be thoroughly incorporated. This compost has been used 

 in Ireland ; has doubled the crops of potatoes and cabbages, 

 and is said to be far superior to stable dung. 



CHAP. IV. 



DRAINING, ITS VARIETIES AND EFFECTS. 



Draining must be acknowledged as the principal step to- 

 wards the improvement of soils, particularly such as are, either 

 from their natural situations, overcharged with moisture, arising 

 fr'om their lying below the general level of the surrounding 

 grounds, or from the existence of natural springs within them. 

 Although this be a subject, which falls more particularly under 

 the arrangement of the agriculturist, it is nevertheless of the 

 first importance to the gardener. Soils naturally wet, or sub- 

 ject to excess of moisture from various causes, are of all others 

 the least fit for the operations of garden-culture. Circum- 

 stances, however, may occur, when from a want of sufficient 

 choice of situation, the garden may be so placed as to require 

 to be rendered perfectly dry by artificial means ; and indeed 

 in all situations, draining should be particularly attended to, 

 were it for no other purpose than to carry off the superfluous 

 moisture occasioned by heavy or long-continued rains. As a 

 precautionary measure, we would recommend, that whatever 

 the soil or situation may be, it should be sufficiently and sub- 

 stantially drained before any attempts be made for further im- 

 provements. Soils naturally wet, are cold and late ; however 

 abundantly they may produce certain crops during the heat of 

 summer, are, nevertheless, to the majority of garden product- 

 ions, attended with the most injurious consequences. Although 

 plants will not live without water, a superabundance of it is 

 equally detrimental to them, particularly when it remains stag- 



