On the Cottage-Homes of England. 
305 
pie, and all he needs is the means of supplying them at the least ex¬ 
pense. It is not so much in the disposition of the rooms (though 
elegantly laid down in the plans submitted to the public,) that the 
comfort of the cottager consists, but in the power of using his rooms 
to the best advantage. ^Yhether he has a pantry or a cellar, is of 
little consequence to him, provided it be well stored with such food as 
is necessary; and whether he sleeps in a parlour or a chamber, is of 
as little consequence, if he has in either room a good wholesome 
bed, on w’hich he can rest his limbs after the labour of the day: but 
there is one thing, an appendage to his cottage, which to me appears 
indispensable, and for these simple reasons, that it will increase his 
enjoyment, augment his comfoH, and endear to his heart, and to tie 
hearts of the surrounding family, the pleasures of the Cottage 
Home.” This appendage is a garden; and this garden should be of 
such a size as to produce, in plenty, table vegetables of every des¬ 
cription; potatoes for winter use, and the most usual kinds of fruit; 
a part, too, should be preserv’ed for the cultivation of a few choice or 
pleasing flowers : for these, though they may not be included among 
the absolute necessaries of life, add a charm and enjoyment to exist¬ 
ence ; they moreover furnish support for a hive or two of Bees, and 
thus produce a certain profit, almost without labour. 
A garden, suppose of about a rood of land, well managed, would 
thus add much to the comforts of a labourer and his family, and as 
the cultivation would be in a great measure the province of the wife 
and elder children, with what the husband could do in light mornings, 
before the time of his regular work, or in fine evenings after it was 
concluded, the produce of the garden would be so much gained from 
time otherwise unemployed, or unprofitably spent; and the Radishes 
from being just drawn, the Beans or Peas fresh gathered, or the Cab¬ 
bage newly cut, would be eaten with a much greater relish at the 
evening meal, than if they had been purchased at the last market. 
To give directions for stocking such a garden with suitable fruits 
and vegetables, or for cultivating them in the most advantageous 
manner, is out of my province, but there is no doubt that some of the 
practical men among the correspondents to the Horticultural Register, , 
would feel happy in having an opportunity of contributing a paper on 
the subject, couched in such plain familiar language, as a simple cot¬ 
tager can understand, and understanding, can reduce to practice. 
Another addition I think might be made to the cottager’s comforts, 
at comparatively little expense, and this is the cultivation of a hardy 
Vine: by covering the walls of the house it would add much to the 
beauty of the dwelling, and if properly trained and managed, would 
VoL. I, No. 7. 
QQ 
