DESIGN FOR FORMING SUBSCRIPTION GARDENS. 213 
knowing, that although prevented from attending himself, his garden would be as 
well managed as the best private garden in the kingdom. 
The annual expense of keeping the fourth of an acre in good order, and cropping 
it well, would be nearly as follows, providing the labour was all hired ; but most 
tradesmen have what is called an odd man about their premises, who would, under 
the superintendence of a practical gardener, be able to do the greater portion of the 
work, but who, in a garden now, would be of no use whatever, and others would wish 
to attend in part to it themselves, and some of course would hire all ; if the latter 
Avas the case, the labour at 14?. per week would be- — 
£. *. d. 
Labour 920 
Rent for a quarter of an acre, poor-rates, land-tax, &c 2 0 0 
For keeping up the ornamental part, tools, seeds, and incidental expenses 5 0 0 
Making a total of 16 2 0 
In this calculation the highest rate of expenditure is stated. 
Some of the subscribers would like to have a green-house, or vinery, attached to 
their gardens ; this could readily be done, as will be seen by reference to the plan ; 
of course the expense would be considerably augmented. 
We have been informed by persons who have had about a quarter of an acre of 
garden detached from their dwellings, that the yearly expense has been more than 
double the sum here stated. One labourer would manage four of the gardens well, 
and there would be no difficulty for as many of the subscribers to join and have a 
man, to whom, if they did not wish to take the trouble of giving the necessary 
orders, the head gardener would properly direct him for them. 
The peculiar advantages of this plan are very obvious. A person living in the 
centre of a town could as well have his table supplied with excellent fresh vege- 
tables, with the pleasure of knowing they were the produce of his own garden, and 
perfectly secure from nightly robberies, and in addition have the abilities of the 
first-rate gardener to manage it, besides having the pleasure of walking in the 
ornamental department with his family, whenever his leisure or inclination suited. 
Near large manufacturing towns we should like to see a considerable number of 
acres divided into small gardens, for the industrious labouring mechanics. For 
want of some attraction like this, they are often forced to the alehouse to spend 
their money, whereas if the same time was occupied in the cultivation of their 
gardens, it would be at once a source of healthy and profitable amusement, and also 
tend in a great measure to prevent those dissipations which are too frequent in 
manufacturing districts. 
Chatsworth, July 12th, 1834, 
VOL. 1. — NO. IX. 
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