Three crops should be had off this surface also, and then trench two spits deep as before, turning the surface spit to the bottom, and the second to the top; by this means the middle becomes the top and the top the middle. Three crops should be taken off this surface likewise, and then trench two spits deep again, turning the surface spit to the bottom, and the second to the top, by which means the middle becomes the top and the top the middle. Take also three crops off this surface, and then trench three spits, whereby that which was last the middle, and now the top, becomes the bottom; and that which was last the surface, and now the bottom, becomes surface again, after having had six years' rest. Proceed in this manner alternately, trenching one time two spits deep, and the other throe, by which means the surface will always be changed, and will rest six and produce three. This has always been our plan, and one which we consider cannot be much, if at all, improved upon; inasmuch as by this means there will always be a new soil, as it were, for the production of vegetables in a wholesome state, to say nothing of the saving of manure, which, generally speaking, forms no mean item in a garden bill, but which is positively necessary where the soil is shallow, and the same surface continually under crop.

We do not desire or assert that the whole of the garden should be trenched over the same year; on the contrary, we prefer to treat half of it in this manner at a time, or even a third part if more convenient.

Manure

The next consideration calling for our attention is manure, the judicious use of which is of so much importance that almost everything in culture may be said to entirely depend upon it. When manure is applied, care should be taken that the ground is never over-done with it. There is an old adage, "Enough is as good as a feast" - so it is with manure; a little at a time, and often, is preferable to a large quantity at once, and seldom. For when used in great quantities, and lying in lumps, it tends greatly to breed and encourage worms, grubs, and other vermin - to say nothing of causing plants to grow too rampant and rank in flavour, vegetables, remember, are always the sweeter for having no more dung than is absolutely necessary; it will therefore be well for our readers to bear this in mind. There are various ways of applying manure, depending chiefly on the season of the year, and the sort to be used, together with the condition in which it is in. In a word, when the superficial soil is much exhausted, it is good practice to dig it over late in the autumn, and spread some good rotten stable dung on its surface, which may be allowed to lie there till the spring, or till the ground is wanted, before digging it in.

This method is particularly suitable for land on which superficial growing crops, as onions, leeks, radishes, and so forth are to be raised. When ground is to be manured at the time of planting, the best way is to spread the dressing on the surface previous to digging, and dig it in immediately: this is particularly essential in spring and summer time, for if left exposed to the action of the sun and air, a great proportion of its nutritive matter will be lost by evaporation or otherwise. Manure may be applied either as a simple or as a compound, but the latter method is the most eligible where a well-flavoured crop is the main consideration; for if it has not undergone a proper fermentation, its effects will be that of imparting a rank and disagreeable flavour to vegetables. To treat upon the subject of manures generally would be extending this work beyond its intended limits, therefore we advise those who are unacquainted with their various natures, to consult some practical work on agricultural chemistry.

Rotation Of Crops

A rotation or change of crops is a matter of much importance, as it is well known to most cultivators that each sort of plant requires a some-what different nourishment, so that one crop may immediately follow or succeed another; but it should be so contrived that a wide crop may follow a close one, and vice versd. The seasons for planting or sowing each sort of vegetable should be particularly attended to, in order that each one may be obtained as early as nature will permit. Great care should be taken that all seeds are of the best kind, lest after the trouble of cultivation disappointment, either as to vegetation or quality, or both, ensue. The quantity of ground to be sown or planted with each sort of vegetable must be determined by the size of the garden, and also by the demand of the family it is to supply; but it is advisable to sow or plant more of each than is likely to be wanted, in order to provide for a greater demand than may bo expected, and also against unfavourable seasons. Taking all circumstances into consideration, no exact rule can be laid down in order to proportion the crops properly ; therefore the cultivator must use his own judgment, and that with a little discretion, being careful not to have too small a quantity of one crop, and too much of another, which are features of bad management, appearing both disagreeable and discreditable.

The principal times for propagating the different kinds of vegetables fall in the spring months; that is to say, in February, March, and April, for crops to come in during the summer, and lesser portions for successive summer and autumn supplies are to be sown or planted from April to October, as we shall explain by-and-by.