he had sown several sorts of seed a month previous, which he had condemned as barren and unfruitful. On looking over his land, I perceived a horse track: the animal had broken his halter, and traversed the garden in different directions. On tracing the horse's footsteps, I perceived plants coming up thick in the tracks, which convinced me that if the seed had been planted deeper, or the ground rolled at the time of depositing the seed therein, the gardener would have had no cause to complain either of the seedsman or his seed. The above instance of loss, occasioned by want of attention to points apparently of trifling importance, not being a solitary one, I would urge the gardener to precision and diligence in his undertaking; and, as my object has been to impart useful knowledge in the following pages, they who are in pursuit of information on the subject of gardening, are invited to a perusal before they deposit their seed in the ground. As in all the former editions of this work, it was my earnest care to confine my attention to the most important practical subjects, I may be allowed here to remind the reader, that every article in the book contains ample directions for the cultivation of whatever it has reference to; but, as the inexperienced are apt to imbibe very erroneous ideas on some points of culture, I have, in this edition, introduced various notes, many of which are designed to point out the evil which it is intended to remedy;—for instance, a novice in gardening undertakes to cultivate a piece of ground, and having been informed that manure is a very important article in the cultivation of his vegetables, procures, perhaps, ten times as much as is necessary; this he applies to his beds in such extravagant quantities as to prevent the seed from germinating, and in some cases it renders the ground sterile, until time and exposure to the atmosphere reclaim it. (See note page 15.) Another very prevalent error is evinced by persons de laying to sow their seed until a period when they ought to be preparing to gather a crop; hence it frequently happens that such, on the appearance of any rare vegetable in market, are induced to visit the store for some seed, which, although they sow it out of the ordinary season, they expect to gather perfect specimens of vegetables. (See notes pages 52 and 72.) Others, again, are so inattentive to their seed beds, after depositing seed therein, that they neglect all precautions of preserving their crops from the attacks of insects, which often make clean work before they are discovered. (See notes in pages 19, 55 and 104.) As such customers are generally loudest in their exclamations agaiust seedsmen, I have been induced to discuss the most important points connected with the subjects, with a view to strike at the root of the most fatal errors attending the cultivation of a garden, and I flatter myself that my labours will be duly appreciated. As it is not intended in this Preface to give directions, but merely to show the object of the work, I would here inform the reader, that the general remarks for the management of the Kitchen Garden, pages 13 to 30, explain the method of destroying insects; of drilling, rolling, planting, and managing the various soils; together with some useful tables calculated to make the attentive reader thoroughly acquainted with the art of gardening. T. BRIDGEMAN. CONTENTS. Method of using manure, (note) Observations on improving various soils-and on sowing seed early, The drilling system recommended, Remedies for the destruction of insects, (note, 19) On the most proper rotation of crops, A table showing the number of plants that may be Page. 13 On the durability of the germinative properties of seed, 25 A table or classification of such species and varieties of A CATALOGUE OF CULINARY VEGETABLES; WITH PRACTICAL [The Notes are chiefly calculated to guard against error in cultivation.] Illustrations of drills, to be used for various kinds of seed, 109 Representation of a Hot-bed with four sashes, Observations on Forcing Vegetables, - Forcing Asparagus in Hot-beds, Forwarding Broad Beans, or English Dwarfs, Forwarding Broccoli and Cauliflower, Forcing Cucumbers at an early season, Forwarding Cucumbers in April and May, Forwarding Lettuce for use in the winter, Forcing Mushrooms at all seasons, Forwarding Melons on ridges under hand-glasses, Forwarding Radishes and other vegetables, Forwarding Rhubarb for use through the winter, Forwarding Salad, Herbs, Small Plants, &c., A table for prognosticating the weather through all the Page Introduction to the Monthly Calendar, with directions how to apply it to different climates, JANUARY.-Suggestions for the improvement of time in FEBRUARY.-Directions for providing hot-bed frames, forcing pits, and materials to be used for forcing and forwarding vegetables, towards the end of the month MARCH.-Recommendations on various subjects-As at- tending to the hot-beds-regulating their tempera- ture-sowing such kinds of seed as are adapted to the season-Also, in manuring and digging the gardener exemplified--who is recommended to sow all the various kinds of seed enumerated in the Calendar-to attend to the spring dressing of his beds of Artichoke, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Sea-Kale, &c.—and to the Transplanting of various kinds of MAY.-Directions for destroying insects—and weeds— to prevent their seeding in the ground-Also, for sowing the various kinds of seed intended for summer crops; including the Bene-plant, with a view to have it for use in July.-This is also a good season to spawn Mushroom beds, and to form JUNE. The principal sowing season being nearly over, the gardener is reminded of the necessity of ascer- taining the success of former plantings, with a view to make up deficiencies before the month is too far advanced-Also, to hoe or plough between early vegetables in general, in order to mature them— and to destroy weeds-Directions for the manage- |