212 
DESIGN FOR FORMING SUBSCRIPTION GARDENS. 
and trouble that has been sustained, it not unfrequently happens that some depre- 
dator steals into the garden, and carries off nearly the whole year’s produce in one 
night ; this is so repeatedly done, and is so discouraging, that it generally prevents 
such persons from introducing into their gardens anything considered valuable, or 
that would furnish their tables with little luxuries. We have been repeatedly told 
by individuals, that this was the only reason why they were deterred from having a 
garden ; and that unless some means were devised to prevent the nightly robberies, 
it would be futile to attempt having one with any degree of satisfaction. It is 
much to be lamented that such is the fact ; its being so is the reason why we are 
induced to suggest a plan which, if adopted, would entirely prevent this species of 
annoyance, and at the same time would be less expensive, better managed, and give 
far more security and satisfaction to persons so situated, than it is possible for them 
to have under the present mode of management. Subjoined is a plan we would 
recommend for dividing twelve acres and a half of ground into fifty small gardens, 
each garden containing one-fourth of an acre. This space would be sufficiently 
large to produce vegetables and common fruit for most small families. There would 
be no difficulty in establishing a garden of this kind near every large town in the 
kingdom ; and such as Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Leeds, Not- 
tingham, &c., ought to have three or more of them, for the different classes of 
society ; and no town, however small, should be without one or more, as the size of 
the garden might entirely depend on the number of persons who wish for little 
gardens. In most large towns there are gas companies, water companies, &c., and 
we can see no reason why there should not be garden companies. 
A good way to establish such a garden we conceive would be, to have it consist 
of as many shares as there would be divisions in it ; and should any subscriber wish 
to dispose of his allotment, he could readily do so, either by private contract or 
public auction. The whole garden should be enclosed with a wall, on which choice 
fruits might be grown. The cross divisions would be better planted with dwarf 
apples, or some other kind of fruit trees ; they would form an excellent hedge, and 
also produce a considerable quantity of fruit. In the centre of these gardens should 
be formed a botanic or flower garden ; for if about four acres, in addition to the 
little gardens, were devoted to the purpose of holding the most beautiful plants, it 
would greatly induce persons to become subscribers, for the purpose of having the 
pleasure to walk in this garden after the toils and anxieties of the day. 
Subscribers to this botanic garden might be admitted who did not wish to have a 
share in the little gardens ; this would greatly assist the funds for keeping it in 
proper order. Schools might also be allowed to walk in this department until a 
certain hour in the day, by paying a small yearly contribution. 
The expense of keeping in order a little garden so situated, would be according 
to the inclination of the individual possessing it, for each must have the entire 
control of his own compartment ; but for the assistance of all who wished for 
information, it would be necessary to have a first-rate gardener to .give all the 
instruction required, as well as to have the entire management of the ornamental 
part, and be responsible for the labourers employed by the different subscribers 
properly attending to their duty ; this would be very satisfactory to a proprietor, 
