Feb.] THE KITCHEN -GARDEN. 109 
rounding the quarters; the front with flowers and small shrubs; 
and the inner quarters for the growth of the kitchen vegetables, See. 
Situation, Soil, Water, Extent, Sfc. 
As to situation, it can only be observed in general, that both high 
and low, if the soil be suitable, will produce good crops of esculent 
herbage and fruits; though a moderately low situation is the most 
preferable, as being less exposed to the influence of cold cutting 
winds in spring, and more retentive of moisture during the sum- 
mer months; which are advantages worthy of attention, both on 
account of the early and of the other principal crops. A situation hav- 
ing a moderate slope is very eligible for this purpose, as in such a 
spot there will not be any danger of water standing, nor of being 
too wet at any season; and if it slopes toward the south, it is the 
more desirable, as it will not only be better defended from 
the cold north-westerly winds, but by its exposure or aspect 
inclining to the sun, you may always expect to have the earliest 
crops; or when the situation is in some parts a little elevated, or 
gently sloping, and in others low and moist, it may be some advan- 
tage, as the higher or sloping ground will suit some early crops, and 
serve for wintering several sorts of plants that are impatient of co- 
pious moisture in that season, such asartichok.es, spinage, corn sal- 
lad lettuce, &c. and the low ground will be eligible for late summer 
crops, as beets, kidney-beans, cauliflowers, cabbages, lettuce, and 
several others. However, as to choice of situation and soil, this 
only is practicable in large estates; but where persons are limited 
to a moderate space, they must be content with such as nature af- 
fords; observing in this case, that if the natural soil is of a proper 
temperament and depth, you need not be under any great anxiety 
about the situation, if it is moderately dry, and not apt to be 
overflowed in winter; even in that case; it may be remedied, or 
greatly helped, by digging two or three long narrow canals, and 
from these some under-ground hollow drains, the earth from which 
will help to raise the contiguous ground higher, and the water in 
the canals will be convenient for watering the plants. Remarking 
that a situation too wet in winter should be guarded against as much 
as the nature of the place will admit; for in such land you can never 
have early nor good general crops, nor will the fruit-trees be prospe- 
rous. 
With inspect to soil, that for a Kitchen-garden, of all others, 
requires to be naturally good, of depth enough for the growth of 
the large perpendicular esculent roots, as carrots, parsneps, red 
beet, horse radish, &.c. also for the growth of fruit-trees, a very 
material article; so that the proper soil for these general purposes 
should, if possible, be from about a foot and a half, to two feet 
deep, or more; but much less than a foot ami a halt depth will be 
a disadvantage: so much depends upon the quality of the soil for a 
Kitchen and fruit-garden, that where there is scope of ground to 
chuse from, we cannot be too cautious at first in fixing on a proper 
