The compleat gard'ner, or, Directions for cultivating and right ordering of fruit-gardens and kitchen-gardens with divers reflections on several parts of husbandry, in six books : to which is added, his treatise of orange-trees, with the raising of melons, omitted in the French editions / by the famous Monsr De La Quintinye ... ; made English by John Evelyn ... ; illustrated with copper plates.

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OF FRUIT-GARDENS AND Kitchen-Gardens. VOL. I. PART II.

I Am particularly to treat here of Four Things: The first relating to the Advantages to be wish'd for, in order to make Gardens: The second relating to Earth, in respect to those Gardens: The third, to what is proper to Correct the Defects we meet with in Gardens already made: The fourth, to the manner of Cultivating Gardens, together with such Qualifications of Soil, as are proper for every particular Kind of Fruit.

I will speak of what relates to the first Article, after having first declar'd that I am only to treat here of Fruit and Kitchen-Gardens, whether they be City Gardens, which common∣ly are but of a Moderate Compass: The Ground of considerable Cities being too preci∣ous to employ much of it in Gard'ning, or Country Gardens, which for the generality are pretty large, at least much larger than those of Cities, and that in proportion to the Abi∣lities of the Master, and Stateliness of every House.

I am sensible, that for the generality, both City and Country Gardens are made for the Conveniency of the Houses, and therefore should be pretty close to them; yet considering that those of the Country require a pretty large Extent, in order to yield considerably, being necessary for Sustenance, as well as Pleasure: In my Opinion, it were to be wish'd that the Houses were built for the Gardens, and not the Gardens made for the Houses. I mean, that one of the Chief Considerations in the Choice of the Situation of Houses, should be particularly to pitch upon a proper Place to make fine and good Gardens with Ease, which however is but seldom minded. There are other more prevailing Considerations most People fix upon: For Instance, a fine Prospect, the Neighbourhood of a Wood or River, the Conveniency and Pleasure of Hunting, the Facility of making Fountains or Canals, the Advantage of the Income, or some other Consideration of the Adjacency of Friends, &c. So that the Gardens in Question are commonly the last Thing thought upon,

and consequently much more the Works of Nicety and After-thought, than of Choice or Forecast.

And indeed it is much more common to become Master of a House ready Built, either by Purchase or Succession, &c. than to chuse the Situation, and begin to lay the Foun∣dations of it; so that generally People are necessitated to make such Gardens as the Depen∣dencies of their Houses will allow, which is the Reason they are not commonly so good as they should be.

But supposing a Man were in a Condition to chuse, I will take the Liberty to explain here what I think most proper to be done, to suceeed in the choice of a Garden for a House, as I would willingly do as to the Choice of the Situation of that House, were this a proper Place for it.

CHAP. I.

Of the Conditions that are necessary in order to make a Good Fruit and Kitchen-Garden.

I Find in this seven particular Considerations, and all of them, in my Opinion, very material.

• First, I would have the Ground good, whatever Colour it were of.
• Secondly, A favourable Situation and Exposition.
• Thirdly, An easie Conveniency of Water, for watering.
• Fourthly, To have the Ground upon a small rising.
• Fifthly, An agreeable Figure, and well plac'd Entrance.
• Sixthly, A fine Enclosure of pretty high Walls.

And Lastly, That in case this Garden were not within sight of the House, which is not always to be wish'd for, at least it might not be far distant from it, but above all, that the Access to it may be easie and convenient: Let us now explain those seven Articles a∣sunder, in order to shew whether my wish be grounded upon sufficient Reasons, and whe∣ther the Execution of it be material.

CHAP. II.

Of Earth in General.

IN Order to prove what Earth is, not taking in a Philosophical or Christian Sence, where∣by is understood the whole Mass, this not being a question proper to be decided in this Place: It is sufficient to know, Earth being considered in that Sence, that it is a great round Mass, which forming one part of the created World, is Situated in the middle of the Celestial Sphere; where, by the Orders of the Creator, it sustains it self, as it were by its own Weight.

But to take Earth in the Sence of a good Husbandman, or a Gard'ner, to be able to Ex∣plain what it is in relation to all the small Particles that compose it, and the Culture it re∣ceives from the Hand of Man.

In that Sence, I think, I may say, that Earth is a quantity of a certain kind of small Sand, which by the Operation of a certain Salt, wherewith Nature has endued every Grain of that Sand, is proper for the Production of Vegetables; in order to which there must be se∣veral Grains together, which receiving a temperate Moisture, form a compacted Body, which afterwards receiving some degrees of moderate Heat, seems to compose an animated Body: So that without these two helps of Moisture and Heat, this Earth remains useless, and as it were dead. 'Tis almost in the same manner that Flower, which is an entire Body, composed of an Infinite Number of small Particles, all well seperated the one from the other; this Flower, I say, being moistned to a certain degree, forms Paste or Pap, either of which being season'd with a little Salt, and afterwards heated to a certain degree, become proper for the Nourishment of Man; whereas this Flower would remain useless or dead, if Water, Salt and Fire were not introduc'd to Animate it. However, we find this difference between Earth and Flower, that the last being once wetted, alters its nature to that degree, that it cannot return to its first Condition, although the Moisture be altogether drein'd out of it,

whereas on the contrary, Earth having once lost the Moisture it had receiv'd, remains in the same Condition it was before, when it receives a second Moisture; but yet this diffe∣rence ought not to destroy our Comparison.

The Reason that induces me to say that Earth is a kind of Sand, is, that in the hand∣ling of it, it really appears a sandy Thing; I will not take upon me to explain what Sand is, since I can say nothing that is particular about it, nor new, I shall only say in General, That there are several kind of Sands, of which some are very dry and barren, like those of the Sea, Rivers, Sand Pits, &c. others Fat and Fruitful, some more, some less: Those that are Fattest and most Fertile, make the best Earth; the others that are not so Fat, or have no Fatness at all, make but ordinary or bad Earth, especially such as are Light, Dry and Sandy: Moreover some are softer, which make soft easie Soil or Mould; others courser, which make a rough Loam, hard to be manag'd. In fine, some are Un∣ctuous and Sticking together, of which those that are but moderately so, make strong Earth; others that are more inclining to it, make clean Loamy Earth, and those that are extreamly Unctuous, make clayish and heavy Earth, altogether unfit for Culture.

Besides the difference of Sands, in Relation to Fruitfulness and Barrenness, there are o∣thers which only differ as to Colour; for among Sands some are Blackish, others Reddish; some are White, some Grey and others Yellow, &c. from whence Earth derive the Names of Black, Red, White, Grey, &c. But those kind of Colours are not very Essential to the goodness of Soil, as we shall demonstrate hereafter.

It is most certain, that those Fertile Sands have really some Qualities in themselves, or rather a certain fruitful Salt, which is communicated to the Water that Moistens them, which being season'd by these Qualities, must serve for the Production of Plants. Just in the same Manner as Senné, Rubarb and most Plants have in themselves Medicinal Virtues and Properties, which communicate themselves to the Water into which they are Infus'd, for the Use of the Health of Man, &c. which Truth is undeniable.

I might assert here in the first Place, that Earth (considering it in it self as one of the Four Elements) has really no Original or Natural Disposition for Vegetation, being in its principal Qualities Cold and Dry, whereas Vegetation requires Heat and Moisture; but as by * 1.1 the Express Order and Command of Divine Providence, it finds it self endu'd with a Salt necessary for Fertility, and is afterwards assisted both by the Rays of the Sun, and Subter∣raneous Fires which give it heat, as well as by some Waters that moisten it, it seems to change its Nature; so that, in submission to so absolute a Command of the Sovereign Master, it appears as if it were a living animated Being, a Being, having its particular * 1.2 Activity, that is, of Producing, as if in Effect Plants were no more in relation to it than the Teeth of an Animal are in relation to that Animal: I mean, that as it is the Animal that Lives, and not the Teeth; so it would be proper to say, that the Earth lives, and not the Vegetables. This Earth, I say, in Obedience to that Command, makes that vast number of different Productions we have so much Reason to admire.

I might say, Secondly, That there was a second Command, after the Curse occasion'd by * 1.3 the Disobedience of Man, and that by Vertue of that second Command, that Earth seems most Inclin'd to produce Ill Plants or Weeds; so that this very Man having for his Punish∣ment receiv'd a particular Order to Cultivate that Earth for his Subsistance, he finds himself in some manner necessitated to wage a perpetual War against it: He Labours and makes use of all his Industry to Vanquish and Overcome the malicious Inclination of that Earth, which on its part defends it self with all its Might, to avoid, deceive and cross the Subordi∣nate Authority of that second Master.

And so we see, that being no wise inclin'd to favour Children that are in some manner * 1.4 Strangers to her, which by Culture we make her produce against her Will. She relapses as soon as she can, shooting vigorously Thistles, Nettles, and a Thousand other Plants of no Use to us, which are properly her natural welbelov'd Children.

In this the Earth resembles those Children who are seldom tired with Voluntary Games and Sports, though never so Rough or Violent in themselves, and yet appear soon weary in the performance of what a Superior Authority enjoins them for their good, though ne∣ver so easie in the Execution.

Thus then, this Earth is oblig'd to obey in a great many Things, which Man requires of it, in which perhaps it might be compar'd to a young Colt, Vigorous and Obstinate, * 1.5 which being once subjected to the Hand and Spur of an able Rider, becomes subservient for Pleasures, Combats and Triumphs, &c.

Thirdly, I might say, that all sort of Soils are not proper for all Sorts of Productions, so that every Clime seems in some Sence to be reduc'd to some particular Thing, which it pro∣duces * 1.6 happily and with Ease; whereas other Plants cannot succeed in it, without much

Toil and Care: It is in this point that Man stands in need of Industry, nay even of Ob∣stinacy, finally to overcome the Resistance he meets with sometimes, in the Culture of his Ground.

Those happy or unfortunate Successes of Plants, in certain Places ought to inform us de∣monstratively, what kind of Earth is absolutely fit for every sort of Fruit, and which is im∣proper; for Instance, the large Cherry Trees of the Vale of Montmorency, and the fine Plum Trees of the Hills of Meudon, &c. Instruct me what Soil is proper for Cherries, and what for Plums, &c. least I should engage to the rearing of them in Soils of a different Temper, with Confidence and Presumption of succeeding without difficulty.

I might finally say what is known by every Body, that some Earths are much better than others in every Climate, nay even sometimes in a small Compass of Ground, vulgarly term'd Veins of Earth: For Instance, Wheat grows well in one Place, and yet cannot grow in ano∣ther close by it, where the Ground is only fit for Rye, or other small Corn. Wine proves good in one Place, and is not so in another, tho' close by it. Muscadine ripens perfectly well in some, and in others neither acquires Taste, Firmness, Colour, &c.

From whence it follows, that it is very difficult to give general and positive Rules for every Climate in general, considering the great Proximity or Nearness of good Soil to bad.

So that we say in respect to the Production of Earth in every Clime, that some are extra∣ordinary good, that is, very Fertile, as we have often cause to say, in respect to the said Production, that some are very Bad, that is, very Barren: This difference proceeding ap∣parently from the Internal Qualifications of every Ground, since it cannot be imputed to the Sun, which looks upon them all with the same Eye; it may likewise proceed from ano∣ther Cause, which we will demonstrate hereafter: But, in fine, our Gardens absolutely require Earth, therefore let us now examine what Conditions are necessary to that Earth, in order to make our Garden thrive.

CHAP. III.

Of the Conditions that are Necessary for the Earth of a Garden, to Qualifie it to be good.

MAny Things are to be said in relation to Earth, which are necessary to be understood; I will speak of each in particular without omitting any Thing of what I know; but whereas we have establish'd heretofore, that the first and most essential Thing to be de∣sir'd, for Fruit and Kitchen-Gardens, is a good Earth, it will be proper first to Explain what a good Soil is, to the making of which many Things must Concur.

• First, Its Productions must be Vigorous and Numerous.
• Secondly, That Earth must be able to recover it self with ease, when it has been worn out.
• Thirdly, It must have no ill Taste.
• Fourthly, It must have at least Three Foot Depth.
• Fifthly, It must be clear from Stones, and easie to Till.
• Sixthly, It must neither be too Moist, nor too Dry.

I explain these Six Maxims in Six particular Sections, before I enter upon the other Ne∣cessary Conditions for the Perfecting of a Fruit-Garden.

First SECTION.

Of the First Proof of good Earth.

In my Opinion, the best Proof of a real good Ground or Soil, is chiefly when of it self it abounds in very vigorous and numerous Productions, appearing seldom or never Exhau∣sted: * 1.7 When Plants grow visibly, with large thick Leaves, &c. When Trees grow up in few Years, producing fine Shoots, green Leaves, not drooping until the great Frosts come in, having sine, lively, shining Barks, &c. These Marks are certain Proofs of a good Earth.

SECTION II.

Of the Second Proof of good Earth.

Besides this, the Nature of this Soil must be such, that it may easily repair what has been Impair'd by some Extraordinary Accident, viz. by a great Heat, or a great Cold; by a great Drought, or great Moisture; by a long Nourishment of some Foreign Plant, &c. so as easily and certainly to recover its former Goodness, if left in quiet, and, as it were, abandon'd to it self; which supposes that the Accidents that had troubled it in its or∣dinary Productions ceasing, the goodness of its Nature, and particularly its happy Situation, are apparently the principal Causes thereof; which is so true, as to that Situation, that such a Soil being admirably good in such a Place, will soon cease to be so, if carried into ano∣ther, where it may not meet with the good Fortune of such an advantageous Situation: Whereas, on the contrary, if Barren in some Place, being Transported into another, where the Situation happens to be better, it will undoubtedly prove much better in its Production there.

This is the Reason that Transported Earth, though never so good in the place whence it was brought, only has a Transitory Goodness, and will soon cease to be so, not meet∣ing with a proper Situation, in which case it will require extraordinary Helps to be main∣tain'd in a Fruitful Condition.

Therefore we may lay down as a certain Maxim, that no Earth can be call'd good, un∣less it shows a great Fertility by its natural Productions, and be capable to recover it self without help. Those are the Earths that are absolutely necessary for Gardens, without amusing our selves in hopes of correcting a natural Barrenness absolutely, by laying out a great deal of Money, in Dunging, &c. especially in Relation to Fruits; as for Pot-herbs, I grant, that having abundance of Dung and Water, together with several Indefatigable Gard'ners, they may be made to grow in a common Soil; but that Remedy is too Expensive, and the real Plea∣sure of a Garden, is inconsistent with so much Toil and Charge.

SECTION III.

Third Proof of a good Earth.

Moreover, in my Opinion, the real Goodness of Earth consists in having neither Smell nor Taste; since it would be Vain for our Fruits to be the Children of a very Fruitful Soil, and to be large and beautiful; if, at the same time, that Soil had any ill Smell, or ill Taste, by Reason that the Fruits and Legumes, or Edible Plants, will infallibly be tainted with it, and consequently cannot be good or pallatable, which is their main Excellence.

The Example of those Wines that taste of the Soil, is a convincing Proof of this Truth, it being most certain that the Sap, which is prepar'd by the Roots, is only made by the Water, which soaking in the Ground where those Roots are to Work, of necessity par∣ticipates to the Taste and Qualities of that Soil, and still retains them, notwithstanding its being turn'd into Sap.

Earth to be good, must be altogether like good Water, that is, that without being Tart, or Insipid, and Sweetish, it must have no manner of Smell whatever, neither Good nor Bad.

This is the first and most material Observation to be made, in order to Resolve and De∣termine upon the Ground of a Garden, when it appears Fertile; which Observation is very easie, since every Body is capable of making it, either in Smelling barely to a handful of that Earth, to judge of the Smell, or in tasting the Water, in which it shall have soak'd, to judge of its Taste. For Example, leaving some small Quantity to soak for Five or Six Hours in a Glass, which being afterwards drein'd through a clean Cloath to remove all Suspition of Dirt or Uncleanness, may be tasted, to judge by its good or ill Taste, of Stink and Tarness, or Pleasantness and Sweetness, whether that Ground may be proper to produce good Fruits, in order to resolve upon the making or not making a Garden there. It is impossible to be too Nice in point of Taste; Legumes do not require quite so much nicety, by Reason that most of them, in the boiling, lose whatever might be disagreeable in their Taste.

SECTION IV.

The Fourth Proof of good Earth.

Though it might seem sufficient in order to judge of the Goodness of Earth, to find its Pro∣duction Vigorous, and that it does not grow weary of Producing, as also that it has no manner of ill Taste; yet notwithstanding the Knowledge of our Curious, who will make a Garden, must extend farther: It is necessary to sound the Depth of the Ground, and to dig into its Entrails, to see whether it contains, at least, Three Foot of as good Mould as the Surface. The Tress he shall plant there will not grow so easily as those which Nature has produc'd of it self; they will not thrive, unless they be, as it were, certain of a Pro∣vision of Food for the Time to come, which Provision consists in having Three Foot of good Mould, very soft or labourable on the Top; and whereas by daily requiring some new thing from that Earth, it is tired at last, and grows Lazy and Lean in its Productions, it is necessary to make some Alterations; the most material of all which, as well as the most easie, is to lay the Mould that lay in the Bottom on the Top, where not having had any Thing to employ it, it preserv'd its natural Fruitfulness, in Expectation of being put to Tryal, that is, of being Expos'd to the Sun and Cultivated; in which Motion of the Earth, the Surface is turn'd in the Room of the other, which was taken up there to lay at rest in its Turn, in order to come to it self again in some Years Time, and to be put into a Condition of acting again as well as ever: Not unlike those Animals, which, though never so tired at the end of the first Day's Journey, go on the next Day with the same Vigour as before, provided they have Rest in the Night.

It is not enough to have laid down as a Maxim, that Trees absolutely require Three Foot in Depth of good Mould, it is necessary besides to decide how much will be proper for long Rooted Legumes: For Example, Artichokes, Beet Roots, Scorzonere, Parsneps, Carots, &c. all which, in my Opinion likewise, require the same Depth of Three Foot. Other Plants, as Sallads, Greens and Cabbage, &c. may do with a Foot less. But those among the Cu∣rious who, in both cases, of Trees and large Legumes, are satisfied with less Depth than I have Instanc'd, are certainly in a very great Error, and are to be pitied, or rather blam'd. They will be liable to have abundance of Trees grow Yellow and Sick, and to see a con∣siderable part of them Perish, and consequently will be obliged to a new Expence, to plant others at a Time when, after Five or Six Years Patience, they ought to Enjoy the Benefit of their Plants. And lastly, they will be Expos'd to have small Trees and Legumes, and those neither good nor come to perfection, &c. Which Inconveniencies ought to be avoided, by following of my Precepts in chusing of a sufficient Depth.

SECTION V.

The Fifth Proof of good Earth.

The Natural and Perpetual Fertility of Earths, their Taste and Depth, being thus esta∣blish'd as Four indispensable Conditions, there remains a Fifth, which is, That Earth, with∣out being too light, ought to be easie for Cultivation (like those we call Fat Sand, or Flax Land, &c.) and pretty free from Stones, not only for the Ease of Culture and to make Plants grow the easier, but also to please the Eye, which undoubtedly is offended at the sight of many Stones or Rubbage in stirring of the Ground: So that when any Earth has that Imperfection, it must be remedied, when there are but a few, they may be easily clear'd with a Rake; but when the Ground is full of them, I know no Remedy but sifting of it. I explain the Use of that Operation in the Treatise of the Preparations of Soils.

Light Moulds have great Advantages for Culture, they are convenient to Plants for the * 1.8 Multiplication of their Roots, they easily drink the Water of Rains, and Waterings, and yet preserve Moisture enough for Vegetation; besides they are easily heated by the Beams of the Sun, and consequently are quick in their Production, which is particularly desir'd by every Body.

SECTION VI.

Sixth mark of good Earth.

The best way to know easie Mould, is to compare it with other Earth that is not so; for Example:

Earth that is too strong cuts with the Spade like loamy or stif Ground, which are apt to close and grow hard, to that degree, that it is almost impossible for Rain, or Waterings to pe∣netrate or soak into them, wich is a very vexatious and most pernicious Inconvenience for Cul∣ture; besides, they are naturally inclin'd to rottenness, and are cold and backward, preser∣ving a continual moisture in their bottom, three of the worst Qualifications Earth can have; the surface of them easily splits and parches in great heats, insomuch that they are inca∣pable of receiving the least Culture, and consequently are neither fit for new Plantations, or to receive new Seeds, which occasions a great scarcity in most Seasons; besides, those cranys are very prejudicial both to Trees and Plants, having already taken new Root, by uncovering the Roots, breaking the new ones, and hindering them from continuing their Functions.

It is impossible to be better inform'd than I am, with all the disorders that attend such Soils, and with all the Inconveniencies they cause in Culture; and therefore I think it will not be improper for me to make a short Relation, by the by, of what I have been oblig'd to do in the Kitchen-Garden of Versailles; of which the Earth is partly of the Nature of those, which it were to be wish'd, might not be met with any where, and which we would not have there, had it been easie to bring better in the room of it. The Necessity of making a Kitchen-Garden in a Situation proper for Walks, and the King's Satisfaction, oblig'd us to pitch upon that Place where it is; and the difficulty of meeting with extraordinary good Earth in the adjacent Parts, necessitated us to be satisfied with such as was passably good.

This Kitchen-Garden is in a Place, where there was formerly a large and very deep Pond; we were oblig'd to fill up the Place of that Pond, and raise the Surface of it even above that of the Grounds about it, otherwise it being a Marsh, and the sink of the neighbouring Hills, it would never have succeeded for the use it was design'd to: we met with no great difficulty in the filling of it, by means of the Sands we were oblig'd to dig out to make the adjacent Canal, of which we us'd ten and twelve Foot in depth every where, but yet the difficulty of meeting with proper Mould to lay over those Sands, and to have it speedily, together with the Expence and Time for the distant Trans∣portation of the great quantity that was necessary for the surface of near twenty five Acres, or Furlongs, were capable to discourage any body from the Enterprise; therefore we were oblig'd to take that which lay nearest to us, that is from the Mountain of Satory: I exa∣min'd it upon the spot, and found that it was a kind of loamy Ground which turn'd to Pap or Mortar, when after great Rains the Water remain'd long upon it, and look'd as if it had been petrify'd when it was dry; I likewise perceiv'd that common Showrs did not easily soak into it, which troubled me much, but I imputed the cause of it to a kind of white Sand, or soft and chalkey Stone, which was found upon that Mountain at the second spit deep of the Spade, and comforted my self in hopes of meeting with a Remedy against it, by means of the Sands, upon which that Earth was to be plac'd; upon that Foun∣dation I dispos'd the ground of this Kitchen-Garden in such a manner that the Earth of the surface might lay upon a level, without any declivity, as commonly most Gardens are; but I was extreamly surpriz'd when I found the contrary of what I expected; this Earth in chang∣ing of Place, did not change its Nature, it remain'd impenetrable to Water; that which happen'd most favourable to me in this, was, that I was expos'd the first year to the great∣est mischief that could possibly befall me, there falling such great and frequent Showers of Rain, that the whole Garden seem'd to be turn'd into a Pond, or at least into a puddled Marsh, which was inaccessible, and above all, Mortal, both for the Trees that were root∣ed up, and all the Kitchen Plants that were overflow'd by it: A Remedy was to be found suitable to so great an Inconvenience, otherwise the great work of the Kitchen-Garden, the Expence of which had made so great a Noise, and the Figure whereof afforded so much Pleasure, should have been of no use: Happily in causing this same Garden to be made, I had at the same time also made an Aqueduct that went a cross it, in order to receive all the Waters of the Hills, which were wont to fall into that very Place to supply the former Pond, and were necessary to fill the great neighbouring Canal; therefore I bethought my self to order Matters so, that those Waters which were so pernicious to me, might lose them∣selves in that great Aqueduct, to which end I thought my self oblig'd to raise every Plat or

Square into Ridges, which Remedy was good, but would have been violent, had I been forc'd to get new Earth for that Elevation; in order to perform this with more ease, I made use of long Dung, of which I was very well provided, as well to place it underneath, as to mix it with the Mould design'd for Legumes, which answer'd my Expectation. The Suc∣cess prov'd good, and the Charge inconsiderable; in forming of this Work, I allow'd eve∣ry Square an imperceptible Declivity to lead or carry all the Waters sliding down from all the parts so rais'd into one of the Corners; and caus'd a small Stone Gutter to be made at every Corner, to carry those Waters into the Aqueducts; and was not long before I found the benefit of that Invention; my Squares with their Plants, and my Borders with their Trees, being thereby preserv'd according to my Wish; besides, it contributed considerably towards the Preservation and good Taste of all the things that I could rear there.

This manner of Ridges appear'd at first surprizing by its Novelty, but yet it had the good Fortune to please the King, whose Penetration and Judgment are infinite in all things; What Honour, and what Joy for me to have the Approbation of so great a Prince! He judg'd that the Invention was no less agreeable than new, so much the rather, because it was of the greatest use imaginable; besides, it added three Acres to the first sur∣face of the Garden. I do not question but this Method of Ridges will be imitated in all Places where the Earth shall be either like ours, or liable to the Inundation of great Rains, or naturally too Marshy.

But when People have no Inclination to make such Elevations, they must at least resolve to have recourse to frequent Tillages, to avoid the Inconveniencies that attend Soils that easily Chop in the time of great long heats, it being a very good and infallible Re∣medy.

SECTION VII.

Seventh Mark of good Earth.

We have now seen the Inconveniencies attending a Soil that is too ponderous, or too fat, and too strong, and have found a Remedy for it; on the other hand, those that are too light, and consequently dry, are accompany'd with so many difficulties, that they are capable wholly to disgust the Curious.

First, By the difficulty of a necessary Remedy: Secondly, By the necessity of great and frequent Waterings, which are very chargeable, and without which the Earth grows, or remains Barren: Thirdly, By the small Progress of Fruits and Legumes, there during the Sum∣mer, without extraordinary helps: Lastly, by the small number of Vegetables, that can a∣gree with it in our Gardens, in which not withstanding it is necessary to have them of all kinds to be fully satisfied.

Let us now consider what relates to those Soils that are too dry and light, and let us ex∣amin whether it be possible to correct those defects.

It happens often that Earth is dry and light, because Nature at first formed it in that Tem∣perature, such is that of dry Turf in certain Fens, such is the Sandy Soil of the Plain of Grenelle; it is pretty difficult, tho not impossible to render them more Ponderous and Fat, which is only to be done by mixing abundance of other strong Earth among it, or by making of a way for a considerable discharge of Water towards the Bottom, which might spread all over it, which is not very practicable; sometimes this drought and lightness proceed from its lying upon a clear Sand, especially when it lyes too shallow, and consequently has not a Bed sufficiently solid, and close, to stop the Waters that fall upon it, either by Rain, Snow, or other ways; those Waters easily penetrating the Body of those Soils descend to that Sand, which being as it were, a kind of Sive lets them pass, and go down lower, as to the place of their Center, whither their weight inclines them, and so no Moisture or Coolness is pre∣served on the Bottom of that Earth, from thence to be Communicated to the superior parts; and consequently that Soil still relapses into its Natural Driness and Barrenness, since it can∣not produce any thing, unless it be at once accompanied with some Moisture and Temperate * 1.9 Heat.

Those that are at liberty to choose their Ground, will hardly be so ill advised as to pitch upon one that is so defective; but when they are indispensably obliged to it, three things must of necessity be done.

The First is to remove as much of that Clear Sand as will be necessary to form that depth of three Foot, filling it up afterwards with as good Mould as can be conveniently got.

The Second is to keep all those Places that are to be Cultivated a little lower than the Walks, to the End that the Waters which falls into those Walks, may altogether incline and run into that Ground.

The Third and Last is to throw into those Cultivated Plats, in the Winter, all the Snow that lies in the Walks, and other Parts, from which they may be easily brought, which will make a Provision of Moisture in the Bottom of that Ground, to help it to perform its Functions during the great Heats of Summer.

I have always us'd those three Expedients, and have prevail'd with my Friends to put them in practice; and I attest with Truth, that we have all found a great Benefit by it, and that it is very safe to put them in practice.

No Body can be Ignorant, that when there lies Water at a moderate Depth within the Ground; for Instance, about Three Foot deep (which is common at the Bottom of Vales, where there lies what we call a good Black Sand.) No Body, I say, can be Ignorant, that in such a Case a Natural Philtration or Distillation, forms it self in the Depth of that Earth, which raises part of that Water up to the Surface, which preserving or maintain∣ing the Earth in a good Temperature for Production, makes it extraordinary good; where∣as on the Contrary, that Water lying in a great quantity too near the Surface; for Ex∣ample, within a Foot or somewhat more, being stop'd there by some Bank of soft Chalk, Stone, or stiff Clay remains there, being hindred from descending lower, and thereby occa∣sions too great a Moisture in the Earth; so that unless a Discharge be made of those Subter∣raneous Waters, or that the Ground be rais'd Ridgewise, as I have heretofore Explain'd, in order to make those Waters rise, such Soil will of Necessity grow Cold, Rotten; and, in a Word, stark Nought.

And, indeed, we may assure our selves, that the Moisture of Soils often proceeds from that Cause, as well those that are very Excessive as those that are not: That Moisture proceeds sometimes from other Causes, as we shall declare in the Sequel.

I think my self oblig'd to say in this Place, that in Relation to the difference of Earth, ei∣ther Strong and Fat, or Dry and Light, this Distinction is to be made, that in Cold Coun∣tries light Earth is most to be desir'd, to the End that a small Heat may be able to warm it; whereas pretty Stony and Fat Soil is best in Hot Countries, Heat not penetrating so easily into the Bottom of it, or drying up the Plants. The Prince of Poets, who was Originally * 1.10 of such a Country, seems to approve a Fat Earth even for Vines; but 'tis only in respect to Abundance; for as to the Goodness and Delicacy of the Vine, he speaks in a different man∣ner, shewing, that Light, Lean Mould is most proper for good Wine, as Loamy Ground is for Wheat.

There are some Soils of so equal a Temperature, and so advantageous a Constitution, that all manner of Legumes and Trees of any kind whatever succeed incomparably well in them; nay, which is more, those kind of Soils receiving but a common Culture of ordinary Labour, or stirring of the Ground for Fruit-Trees, preserve themselves good for many Years, without the Assistance of any Amendments, unless it be for Legumes.

Happy are those who light upon such, when they are about making of a new Garden, so as to be able to boast that in their Grounds they meet with all the Important Conditions I have mention'd, viz. a Fertile Soil, without Taste, sufficiently deep, moderately light, and pretty free from Stones, neither too strong and moist, or too light and too dry, because they may assure themselves of an Infallible Success as to the Ground, and consequently what is it they may not expect, taking care from time to time to have it search'd, and absolutely turn∣ed within the Depth heretofore mention'd, as well to be certain of its being still in the same Case every where, as to enable every part to perform its Duty alternatively, not failing, besides this, to allow it the common Culture it requires.

I have had the Honour of making one of the best Kitchen-Gardens that could be, for a great Minister; I had the Liberty of chusing my Ground, and found it according to my wish, and as I wish it to all Gentlemen that are Curious in Gard'ning. This Garden is so per∣fect, that no Inconsiderable Things are seen in it, nor any Thing that belyes its Excel∣lence. No Place can afford more vigorous Trees, or more excellent Fruits, nor in greater Quantity, nor siner and better Legumes. There is but one thing wanting in it, which is, that it is not altogether so forward as Gardens that lie in a Sandy Ground; but that De∣fect, which Art cannot correct, is sufficiently recompens'd by all the other Advantages I have mention'd.

CHAP. IV.

Of the other Terms that are us'd in speaking of Earth.

AFTER having explain'd the good Qualifications that are to be wish'd for in the Mould of Gardens, I might now apply my self to the Explaining of the other Condi∣tions that are necessary for the perfecting of the said Gardens, viz, The Situation, Exposition, Figure and Conveniency of Watering, &c.

But whereas in our Gardens we often speak of worn out or Exhausted Earth, of Fallow Earth, of new broken up Earth, of Transported Earth, &c. I think that before I proceed any farther, it will be proper for me to declare my Opinion thereof.

SECTION VIII.

Of Exhausted Earth.

First, It is an old saying, that Earth wears out or exhausts in process of time, what∣ever quantity of Salt it may have to preserve its Fertility, that is, though never so good in its Nature, with this difference only, that whereas some are extraordinary Good, and others very Indifferent, some are much sooner, and much easier worn out than others: We may in some measure compare them to the Treasures of every State; of which some are certainly very considerable, and others not; whereby some are more able to sustain long Wars, and bear greater Expences than others; but yet the Treasures of the Richest can∣not hold out for ever, they not being Infinite. They may be Exhausted or Wasted, ei∣ther by being ill Manag'd, or ill Employ'd, or by being Dispers'd, or Squander'd away, though perhaps with a Prospect of other Advantages for the Benefit of the State. Fo∣reign Amendments are sometimes necessary to that State; for Example, great Trading, a Considerable Alliance, &c. and chiefly no long Wars, or great Dissipations. It re∣quires * 1.11 at least some Rest and Occonomy, or good Husbandry. In the same manner what∣ever Fruitfulness Earth is endu'd with, it will waste at length by the Abundance of its Productions, I mean such as have been forc'd upon it, but not those that are natural and voluntary, wherewith it seems only to sport; for Instance, the Ground of a good Meadow is so far from wasting, by the Nourishment it affords the Grass it yearly produces, that it improves in its Disposition of producing it, as if it delighted in following its natural Ten∣dency; but when we go about to alter its Function, and force it to produce Saint Foin, Wheat, or any other Corn that is a Stranger to it, it will be soon perceiv'd, first, that it begins to slacken in its Production, and finally Exhausts or Spends it self, insomuch, that it will want some help to be put again in Vigour, otherwise it will remain for a time al∣most useless. It may be also, that the Grounds where Wheat and other Corn grow of themselves (for it is very probable, that those first Grains grew naturally and without any Industry in some Soils.) It may be, I say, that those Corn Grounds might be worn out sooner in producing of Hey, than in the Continuance of their Natural Productions: So that it is Evident by the Experience of all Husbandmen, that Earth frequently wears out or exhausts.

I add, that according to the greater or lesser quantity of Salt, every particular Plant re∣quires, all Plants not consuming an equal quantity of it, that Earth which is abundantly pro∣vided therewith, shoots, without wearing out so soon, several different kind of Plants, and sometimes all of them together and at the same time, witness the good Grounds of Meadows, every part of which abounds with an Infinity of different Plants, all equally Vigorous: Sometimes, and that only when the Ground is indifferently good, that Earth only produces many successively the one after the other; as we see by small Corn, as Barly, Oates, &c. which are sown in those very Grounds that have just before produced Wheat and Rye; which, though not capable of producing some of the like so soon after it, have yet the Force of producing smaller.

The same things may be said of Grounds that have serv'd long for Vinyards, Woods, or Forests, or Orchards, &c. where when we destroy those kind of Plants, we must not expect that it will succeed immediately, if Employ'd in the same manner it was before, it being too much wasted or worn out for that purpose; but yet it may be good enough to serve a while for the Production of smaller Plants, and less Voracious; for Example, Pot-herbs,

Pease, Beans, &c. and yet at last it will yeild to the common Fate of all manner of Earth, which is to wear out quite.

It is in this that the Gard'ner must shew his skill; for he must have a perpetual Appli∣cation to observe in what manner all the Plants of his Garden do grow, not to Employ his time in planting his Ground with Things that can no longer thrive there, and yet he must leave no part of his Garden unmanur'd, it will be sufficient to shift his Legumes and Seed: His Earth can never be so worn out or Exhausted, as to oblige him to leave it altogether unimploy'd; he may make it produce all manner of Things one after another, provided he never lets it want some Helps it requires. However, supposing he were oblig'd to plant or put Things of the same kind in the Room of the old Ones; for Instance, new Trees in the Room of others that are Dead, then in such a Case there is some work to be done, and some Oeconomy to be practis'd, which I will speak of hereafter; besides the manner of Employing Earth well, is fully examin'd in the Treatise of the Kitchen-Gardens.

SECTION IX.

Of Fallow Earth.

These Terms of Fallows, or Earth that lies at Rest and Unimploy'd, intimate, that the Grounds sometimes want Rest, thereby to be recover'd or reinforc'd, whether the Influences of the Stars, and more particularly the Rains, cause that useful Reparation (as certainly they contribute much to it) or rather whether those Earths have in themselves a fund of Natural Fruitfulness with a Faculty not indeed to render that Fruitfulness undrainable, but to re-establish it, and produce it again; when, after having been impair'd by conti∣nual Productions, we let it lie Fallow for some time, as if we did abandon it to its own Discretion, and judg'd it capable of knowing its own Distemper, and to remedy it. Thus Philosophers impute to the Air an Elastic Force, and to use a more sensible Example. Thus Water has in it self a kind of Natural Coolness with a Principle of re-establishing, and reproducing that Coolness, when after its having been heated by Fire, or by the Sun, it is remov'd out of their Reach: Heat is certainly a stranger to it, and, as it were, an Enemy; so that it keeps this Water in a violent Motion; But when 'tis remov'd from that which caus'd and maintain'd that Heat, and thereby left at Rest, it destroys that which render'd it defective, and by degrees becomes cool again as before; that is, it reco∣vers the perfection, which is natural to its Being and Temper.

Thus good Earth being Impair'd by the Nourishing of some Plants that were Strangers to it, and drain'd it at once of all its ancient Salt, and even of all the new, as fast as it re∣pair'd it; if we discharge or ease it of those Plants, and leave it for a while without re∣quiring any thing from it, that is Fallow or at Rest, it will easily return to its natural Fertility, especially if instead of planting it with little ordinary Plants, we mix a little good Dung with it, insomuch that the Straw that shall Rot, or be Burnt among it, will afford it new strength. * 1.12

Nature shows us in this a true Circulation, which we will Explain hereafter in the Chapter of Amendments.

SECTION X.

Of Transported Earth.

There is but little to be said in the Càse of Transported Earth, unless it be, that it is a No∣velty our Age has introduc'd in Gard'ning. The Author of the Georgics, who has Treated with so much Exactness about the Differences of Earth, has not in the least mention'd this. This Expedient of Transporting Earth is seldom practis'd, but when a Garden is to be made in a Place that has none, which does not happen often, at least where great Gardens are to be made, or when we design to fill up some Trenches, which we have cause to believe worn out; in which cases Earth must be sent for from Places where it is very good. Wo to him who being necessitated to be at the Charge of such a Transportation, only chuses that which is bad; which is a Fault, I believe, few People do commit.

Good Earth seems to meet with a kind of Improvement in that Transportation, which is the Reason that People say, Such and such a Garden cannot be Ill, since it is altogether compos'd of Transported Earth. The Reason of this Improvement by Transporting, is as difficult to be solv'd, as that of the Amendment which proceeds from the Burning of Stub∣ble.

The Poet gives Four without determining upon any, perhaps being willing to insi∣nuate, that he Judges them all equally good. Thus it appears Evident to me, that Earth really Improves by Transportation, whether that Improvement proceeds from that in the re∣moval the Air penetrating more into it, revives some Principle of Vigour that was con∣ceal'd, or that the Air Purifies some Ill Qualities it had contracted; or, in fine, whether it renders it looser and more penetrable to the Roots, which roam as it were every where to look for some fresh Nourishment.

SECTION XI.

Of New Earth, or Ground new broke open.

There still remains to Explain what New Earth is, I mean Earth never having seen the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. It is a Help or Succours newly Introduc'd in our Gardens, and apparently as much un∣known in the Ancient Husbandry, as that of Transported Earth, which Authors do not in the least mention. We have a particular value for it, and indeed cannot have too much, since it is certain that this New Soil possesses not only all the first Salt, which was given it at the Moment of the Creation; but also the Major Part of the Salt of the Surface, which was press'd down to the Bottom by Rains and Waterings, the Weight of which made it descend where-ever it could penetrate. This Salt preserves it self in those hidden Earths, until they become a Surface themselves, and then the Air gives them a proper disposition to employ with Glory that Fertility wherewith they are Endu'd; and indeed they are no sooner at Liberty to Act, but they produce Vegetables of a surprising Beauty.

It is not difficult to apprehend what New Mould is, all Earths were so Originally, that is, at the Moment of their Creation, God by his Command having bestow'd upon them the Gift of the Faculty of Production, which till then had not been put in Use. From that time none of the Earth of the Surface of that Terrestrial Body or Mass, can be called New, since all those that were capable of Producing, have not ceas'd to Act hitherto: But whereas there are many Places, where the Bottom of that Earth, within Two or Three Foot of the Sur∣face, has always remain'd without Action, and others where that very Surface has not been allowed to Act, both the one and the other afford us New Earth, to make use of in our Necessities: So that by New Earth we mean such as never serv'd towards the Nourish∣ment of any Plant. For Instance, such as lies Three Foot beneath the Surface, and from thence as low as it can go, provided it be really Earth, or else we mean such as having already nourish'd several Plants, has afterwards been long without nourishing any others; for Ex∣ample, such as has been built upon. We say, and that by Experience, that in the first Year, both the one and the other of these Earths are wonderfully good, especially for our Gardens, all manner of Plants and Legumes Improving, Growing and Thickning visibly in them: And when we plant Trees in them, provided they be good in themselves, and be well planted, few of them Miscarry; whereas in those that are naught, or really worn out, the greatest part of them Die, though never so well condition'd, or so carefully planted.

The Eyes are not capable to distinguish whether Earth be new or worn out, that Know∣ledge must proceed from other Things, the one and the other being extreamly alike; and it might be said with Reason, that those Earths that are bad, whether they have always been so, or are grown so, are not unlike Gun-Powder, which being bad, or having taken Vent, cannot take Fire, and yet looks altogether like that which is good. Thus Earth, that is naturally naught and barren, or having been good is worn out, not having any thing within it to animate it, when it receives heat and moisture, remains as if it were dead, notwithstanding a Succours which would animate any other Earth; so that not con∣tributing in the least to the Action of the old Roots of Trees, they at last rot, and together with them the whole Body of the Tree, as I have fully Explain'd in my Reflections upon the Beginning of Vegetation.

From whence it follows, first, That it is pleasant to make new Plantations, and that in good new Earth; and in the second Place, that all those who make new Gardens, ought certainly to be careful of preparing a kind of Magazine of it, in order to have it with Ease and Convenience, whenever they stand in need of replanting new Trees, which happens pretty often. The Space of the Alleys, or at least of part of them is very fit for those kind of Provisions to which use I Employ them, instead of doing what most People do; that is, to fill them with Gravel and Dirt, taken out of the Plats, or Squares and Trenches. H〈…〉〈…〉 ooten does it happen, for want of such a conveniency of new Earth to put again into

the Trenches, as People would do if they had it, that a great deal of Money, Time and Pleasure is lost in being oblig'd to plant new Trees and Plants in the Room of the old ones that are dead; for indeed few of them escape in those old, ill-condition'd Soils.

I must needs pity those who neglect a thing that is so Useful and so Necessary. Before I conclude what I had to say about Earth, I must speak a word or two as to the Colour of it, by which it is sometimes easie to judge of its good or ill Qualities.

SECTION XII.

Of the Colour of good Earth.

I have declar'd several Times already, That the most essential and surest Mark of the goodness of the Ground, is that which is taken from the Natural Beauty of its Productions; some would willingly besides this, settle another certain mark upon the Colour of it, and say, that a blackish Grey is a convincing Proof in that matter, besides its being most plea∣sing to the Eye.

This Question has not only been debated in our Days; the great Authors of Antiquity * 1.13 have made some Reflections upon it before us; for my part I am not in the least prejudic'd in this Point, having seen good and bad Earth of all Colours: But yet it is certain that this blackish Grey, which pleases most, and has deserv'd the Approbation of former Ages, is commonly in that respect one of the best Signs of goodness, though not Infallible. We often meet with Redish and Whitish Earth that are Incomparable, but seldom any that is quite White deserving that Character. We likewise meet with some that is Black, either at the Top of some Hills, or in certain Vales, which are very barren; it being a kind of dead Sand, which can at most only produce Broom and Furrs.

Therefore we must conclude, that the true mark to judge of the Goodness of Mould, is neither the Colour nor Depth of it; since nothing but the fine Production it naturally af∣fords can do it, they only can decide in that Point. For Instance, in the open Fields we may judge by the goodness of the Grass, which Cattle willingly feeds on; by the Brambles, Briers, &c. In Kitchen-Gardens by the Size of Artichokes, large Lettuces and Sorrel, &c. But more especially, as has been said already by the Vigour of the Trees, their long Shoots, the large Size and flourishing Verdure of the Leaves, &c. These marks we may look upon as undeniable Proofs and Witnesses, upon whose Deposition we may absolutely rely, with∣out trusting to any other. The Size of Fruits may be look'd upon as something in that Case, but is no Infallible Argument, since we commonly see large Fruit upon weak Trees and some very small upon others that are more Vigorous. I Explain the Reasons of so great a difference in another Place.

CHAP. V.

Of the Situation our Gardens require.

AFTER having sufficiently Explain'd what relates to the particular Case of Earth, I now proceed to the other Conditions that are necessary for the Perfection of Fruit and Kitchen Gardens, of which the second in my Opinion is the Situation.

There is a distinction to be made, viz. whether in relation to a Kitchen-Garden only with∣out any mixture of Fruit, excepting such as are Red, as Strawberries, Raspberries, Cherries, Currans, which compose part of a Kitchen-Garden, or only to Fruit-Gardens without any Le∣gumes; it happens sometimes that the Fruit-Garden and Kitchen-Garden are made asunder; or, in fine, this Garden being compos'd both of the one and the other.

In the first Case, which relates to a Kitchen-Garden, without doubt little Valleys or Dales are to be preferr'd to all other Situations, and commonly have all that is to be desir'd in a good Ground; they are fit for Excellent Meadows, the Moulds is easie and apparently of a sufficient depth, it is fatten'd with all that is good upon the Neighbouring Hills. Fine Legumes grow in it with Ease and Plenty. Red Fruit acquire in it that Sweetness and Size which renders them recommendable: Waterings are easie at hand, Springs and Brooks being seldom wanting there; but then they are liable to a great Inconvenience, by Inunda∣tions. When that Misfortune happens, few of those Plants escape which ought to last a∣bove a Year in the Ground. Asparagus, Artichokes and Strawberries meet with their De∣struction

by being long overflow'd; and thus all the Advantages that are promis'd by a good Dale, are infinitely overbalanc'd by the Desolation wherewith it is threatn'd.

In the Second Case, which relates to the having of good Fruits and betimes, certainly your elevated moderate Dry Grounds are the best, provided always the Ground be good in it self, and deep enough; The Choice Fruits do not perhaps grow so large there, but that is sufficiently recompens'd by the Beauty of the Colour, the Goodness of the Taste, and the Forwardness of the Maturity. What Difference is there between the Muscat-Grapes that grow in those Dry Situations, and those that grow in moist Valleys: And indeed, Muscat-Grapes are the true Touchstone directing us to judge of the good or ill Situation of a Garden; how delicious are your Winter-Thorns, Burgamots, Lansac, Petitoms and Louises-bonnes, &c. grow∣ing upon an Elevated Ground, compar'd to the same kind of Pears growing in a Meadow-Ground. Those kind of Fruits are another convincing Proof of the Importance of the Situ∣ation of Fruit-Gardens.

But lastly, if in Relation to those kind of Gardens, that are coveted by most People, I * 1.14 mean Gardens compos'd both of Fruits and Legumes, the Choice is easily made. Nothing can certainly be better than a rising Ground, which furnishes all that is necessary both for the one and for the other, supposing still the Ground be good in it self, according to the Con∣ditions heretofore Explain'd; which being, the Earth in neither too dry nor too moist; the Waters of the Hills washing it constantly, and not remaining upon it, afford it a proper temper; the heat of the Sun performs its Function, without being oppos'd by Cold, which is Inseparable from Marshy Grounds. Those Risings to be altogether according to our Desires must not be too steep; least the Torrents, Summer commonly produces, might cause very considerable disorders there; those are best where the ascent is almost Imperceptible, where every clap of Thunder does not threaten dismal Consequences, and where People are not expos'd to the Vexation of seeing their Trees torn up by the sudden gluts of Water, to see sometimes the Earth tumbled from the top to the bottom, and sometimes the Walks utterly spoil'd, and in fine, all the neatness, delight and advantage of it utterly over-thrown. It were to be wish'd that all Gentlemen might meet with such favourable Situ∣ations for their Gardens; but whereas they are scarce, and that People are often reduc'd to make them in the middle of great Plains, which is most common; others upon Hills, and others in Valleys or Dales; we will declare hereafter what may be most proper to be done in order to succeed in them, as well as is possible.

CHAP. VI.

Of the Exposures of Gardens, as well in general as in particular; with the Explication of what may be good and ill in every one of them.

IT is not enough for a Garden to have a good Ground, and to be well situated, it must also be well expos'd; and a small rising not being well expos'd, cannot be call'd an advantagious Situation. There are four sorts of Expositions, the East, the West, the South, and the North, all easily known by the Names that have been given them, with this difference, that among Gard'ners these Terms signifie the clean contrary of what they do among Astrologers and Geographers; these only regarding those Parts, where the Sun actually appears, and not those which are lighten'd by his Beams; for Instance, by East they mean that part where the Sun Rises, by West the part where it Sets, &c. Whereas the Gard'ners only consider those parts of their Garden upon which the Sun directly shines, and in what manner it shines upon it throughout the course of the day, either in relation to the whole Garden, or only in relation to some of the sides of it; for Example, as to the sides, when the Gard'ners see the Sun at his Rising, and during all the first half of the day continue to shine upon one side, they call that side the East, and indeed it is really the East of Gardens; so that when the Sun begins to appear later upon it, or to remove sooner from it, it can no longer be call'd East; and by the same reason they call that side the West, upon which the Sun shines all the second half part of the day, that is from Noon till Night, and according to the same way of speaking, they call that part South, where the Sun shines from above nine in the Morning till Evening, or else that part where it shines longest in the whole day, whatever hour it begins at, or removes from it; in fine, they call that North which is opposite to the South, and consequently that part which is least favour'd by the Rays of the Sun; for perhaps it does not receive the benefit of it above one hour or two

in the Morning, and the same at Night. This is the true meaning of Exposures in point of Gard'ning, and particularly in relation to the Walls of Gardens, whereby may be understood the meaning of that manner of speaking so common among Gard'ners; my Fruits of the East are better than those of the West; my Wall Fruits of the East are not so often water'd * 1.15 by Raine as those of the West, &c.

Besides, those Names of Expositions likewise express those Winds Gardens are more, or less expos'd to, and consequently can be more or less prejudicial to them; for the Winds in respect to Gardens, especially for Trees, are almost all to be fear'd; but yet some more, and others less, and that according to the different Seasons of the Year.

Although it may be urg'd, that whatever Situation a Garden be in, it has of necessity all the Aspects of the Sun, and consequently is in a Condition to enjoy the Favors of all the Expositions, as well as to fear the Insults of all the Winds, yet every body agrees, that some are better expos'd than others; which is particularly understood of such as are upon Hills, or the sides of Mountains, of which some have the Rising Sun, others the Setting; some lye South, and others North; for as to the Gardens that are situated in Plains, and are neither cover'd by Mountains, or high Woods, or lofty Buildings, the difference of those Exposures is not so sensible.

The usual manner of speaking to express the Expositions in respect of every Garden, in the whole, and without any particular distinction of sides, must be understood in relation to the Expositions of the whole coast where those Gardens are situated; as the manner of speaking of the Exposures of Walls in particular, relates to the manner of the Suns shin∣ing upon every one of them in the course of the whole day; and so for Example, when in speaking of a Garden situated upon a small Hill, we say that it lyes to the East, we mean that the Sun shines upon it as soon as it Rises, and shines but little upon it in the Af∣ternoon: and when we say that a Garden lyes full South, it is when the Sun shines upon it all the day, or at least from Nine or Ten in the Morning till the Evening; and by the same reason when we say that such a Garden lyes to the West, we mean that the Sun does not begin to shine upon it till about Noon, and remains there till it sets.

Now the meaning of Expositions is fully understood, in order to decide which is the best of the four, either in general for the whole Garden, or in particular for every one of the sides; it will be fit to know in the first place, that those of the South and East, are by the Opinion of all Gard'ners the two chief, and therefore to be preferr'd before the two others; it is likewise fit to know that the Exposition of the West is not amiss, or at least much better than the North, which consequently is the worst of all.

Secondly, In order to decide between the two first, which is the best, the temper of the Earth must first be distinguish'd; for if it be strong, and consequently cold, the South is best; but if light, and consequently hot, that of the East will be most favourable.

The Exposures of the South in all Earths is commonly proper to secure all Plants against the rigors of the Winter, to give a taste to the Legumes and Fruits, and to forward all that is to be early in all Seasons; and therefore since it is favourable to all sorts of Earth, it must be so particularly to a strong cold Earth, which can hardly act unless animated by an ex∣traordinary heat from the Sun, which is the most proper Exposition for it: but not for light Earths, especially in hot Climats, it being apt to scorch the Plants in Summer to that degree, that the Kitchen Gardens become of no use, it engenders a thousand Emots or kind of Fleas which gnaw and wrinkle the Leaves, it hinders the Fruits from growing to that big∣ness they should do, and thereby lessens the goodness of the Taste, and even often makes them drop before their time, which happens sometimes by reason that it spoils or drys up the Branches and Leaves, nay even the stalks of those Fruits, as we often see it in Musctts and Peaches; and sometimes also in over-hard'ning the Rine of every Fruit, even to that degree that it often scorches and chaps them; by which means abundance of Peaches and Figs growing against Walls perish through excessive heats: therefore it is easie to decide the choice of those two Expositions, in respect to the difference of Earth; the South is most desirable in cold moist parts, but not so much in dry sandy Grounds.

Generally speaking, this Exposition of the South is free from the Northern Winds, which by their usual coldness are always cruel and fatal to all manner of Gardens, which is the reason it is generally chosen before that of the East; but yet it is most certain that in light Grounds, the last being favour'd by Night Dews, and the first gentle and mild Rays of the Rising Sun, is incomparable for Maturity, Size and Taste, as well as for the Preservation of Trees and Legumes, &c. and especially because over and above all this, it defends us from the North West Winds; that Wind rises between the West and North, and as it regularly blows in the Spring, it is commonly attended by white Frosts, which are very destructive to the Blossoms and Fruits of Trees, whereon it lights, which is the reason that People ea∣sily

bear with that Eastern Exposition even in strong Earths, but still I do certainly believe it best for light Earth.

Although I have preferr'd the Exposition of the West before that of the North without any hesitation, the last being certainly the worst of the two; yet in those Climats where the heat being excessive, burns, and absolutely ruins all that is too long expos'd to the Sun, the North ought to be chosen before the other; since our Gardens only want a mode∣rate heat to nourish gentle what they produce, especially to conduct Fruits to a perfect Maturity, and therefore in those Climats where the Sun seems too violent, I should rather affect a Northern Exposition, having but four or five hours of Rising Sun, and as much of the Setting as any other, whether that which scorches it all the Day, or that which shines upon it but half the Day: And certainly those kind of hot Climats are not in the least pro∣per on the South Walls for any of our kernel, or stone Fruits, which are too tender for it, they are only proper for Orange Trees, Citron Trees, Pomegranets, Figs, and Muscats Grapes, &c. of which the greatest part of the Leaves must be kept upon the Trees; the other Ex∣positions will be good enough, for those tender Fruits which cannot bear that of the South.

After having examin'd the Advantages that may be expected from good Expositions, let us now consider the Inconveniences that may be fear'd from them; but whereas they are not infallibly attended with them, we must indeed be prepar'd to bear them, but not discomforted when they happen, seeing the impossibility of a Remedy.

The Southern Exposition generally speaking is subject to great Winds from the middle of August to the middle of October, which often blow down the Fruit, some before their being ripe and full grown, and others after their being ripe, which are quite bruis'd by the fall; and thus the best part of the Fruit perishes, instead of performing its duty, which is to nou∣rish and recompence the Master of the Garden; for which reason, in such Gardens directly expos'd to the Southern Winds, which otherwise enjoy the Advantages that are so much valu'd in Gard'ning, Wall Trees are most proper; Dwarfs also defend themselves pretty well, but Standards are to be pitty'd, especially such whose Fruit does not stick fast to the Stalk, for instance, Virgoules, Vertelongues, the St. Germains, &c. which are not so proper for those Exposures, as those that have the power to resist better the violence of the Winds; for Example, the Thorn Pears, the Ambrets and Lischalserie, the dry Martins, &c. or else stick to the Summer Fruits which are good at the time of their fall, as the Lady Thighs, the small Muscat Pears, the Blanquets, or whole Pears, the Robins, the Russelets or Russetings, &c.

The Eastern Exposure, though otherwise incomparable, has its Imperfections too some∣times; In the Spring it is subject to North East Winds, which are dry, cold Winds that wither the Leaves and new Shoots, especially of Peach-Trees; they likewise often blow down abundance of Kernel and stone Fruit, and particularly young Figs, at the time that by a reasonable size they began to give great hopes of plenty; those Winds are not the only Enemies to that Exposition, that which likewise is fatal to it, especially for the Eastern Wall Trees, is the not enjoying the benefit of Rains, which seldom coming but from the West, cannot reach the foot of the Walls, whereby the Trees are lyable to a mortal drought, unless it be remedy'd by the Expedients explain'd in the Treatise of the Wall Trees.

The Western Exposure not only dreads North West Winds in the Spring, which are so pernicious for Trees in Blossom, and in Autumn the Winds of that Season, those great throw∣ers down of Fruit, but also, and that particularly in moist cold Grounds, the great Rains, which being commonly very frequent from the parts where the Sun Sets, often causes great Desolations there; whereas on the oher hand, in dry light Earths, those kind of showers repair the defects of sterility, and amend the Disorders caus'd by too much drought.

As to the Northern Exposition in relation to Wall Fruit Trees, if on the one side it be to∣lerable for all Summer Fruits, and for some in Autumn, on the other side, it is very dangerous for the beauty and good taste of those of the Winter; but then again, it is the most advan∣tagious that can be during the great heats for Legumes and Red Fruits, which we would make to hold out, as Straw-berries, Rasberries, Currans, &c. I have likewise explain'd this matter at large in the Treatise of Kitchen-Gardens, as well as in the use that is to be made of every particular Wall in a Garden.

Finally, The result of this small Treatise about the Exposition, is that all of them have their Perfections and Imperfections; we must endeavour to take our advantage of the first, and use all our Industry to defend our selves from the last.

CHAP. VII.

Of the Third Condition, which requires in our Gardens the Convenience of Waterings.

NOthing can be more certain, and more universally granted, than that it is impossible * 1.16 to have fine and good Gardens, especially Kitchen Gardens, without being able for a considerable part of the Year to secure them from their Mortal Enemy, which is drought; the Spring and Summer are subject to great heats and scorchings, and consequently the Le∣gumes of the Season, that should be perfect and abounding can yield no pleasure, unless they be greatly moisten'd; they only improve and acquire the Perfections they ought to have, by the Vertue of Water, viz. largeness, thickness, sweetness, and delicacy; there∣fore I say that Legumes are in danger of being always small, bitter, hard and insipid, with∣out the help and assistance of considerable long Rains, which commonly are very uncer∣tain, or else that of great and frequent Waterings, which we ought to be Masters of, and to have at command.

Besides, whatever Rain may fall, which indeed may be favourable to small Plants, as Strawberries, Greens, Pease, Beans, Sallad, Onions, &c. There are still other Plants in our Gardens, which require something more, for Example, Artichoks of a year or two's growth, which must be water'd regularly two or three times a week, a Pitcher at a time to every Foot; for if we think that a little Rain is sufficient to satisfie our Artichokes, we shall soon per∣ceive that we are grosly deceiv'd, Gnats will annoy them, the head will remain small, hard and dry; and finally, the Suckers will only produce Leaves; the Experience of what is seen among substantial sale Gard'ners, sufficiently justifies the Necessity and Importance of Wa∣terings; they seldom fail watering of their Gardens whatever Rains may fall during the Sum∣mer; and indeed their Ware is much finer than that of others who water less.

During seven or eight Months of the Year, there is generally a necessity of Watering all that grows in Kitchen Gardens, Asparagus only excepted, which only performing their Duty at the Entrance of the Spring are satisfied with the moistures of the Winter, and want none after the Months of April and May: But whereas those two Months are the times of Blasting and Drought, there is often a Necessity of Watering even the new Planted Trees; nay, sometimes it is good to Water those, which having brought forth a great Quantity of Green Fruit appear moderately Vigorous, and require some help in order to a good Reaping, which they are preparing for us; especially if the Earth be naturally dry and light, those Waterings must not be neglected at the Time of the Summer Solstice, and they must be renew'd in the Month of August, when the Fruits begin to form their Pulp, the Season being very dry; otherwise they remain small, stony and not pallatable.

From whence it naturally follows, that Water is absolutely Necessary in Gardens, and that plentifully too, in order to perform the Necessary Waterings they require in due time; for indeed what can be made of any Ground without Water, it will remain altogether use∣less for Productions, and disagreeable to sight; therefore the best way is to pitch upon Si∣tuations that have the Convenience of Water; and whoever does not make that one of * 1.17 his first Considerations, deserves blame, or pity.

The most common, and at the same time the most wretch'd recourse for Waterings is that of Wells: It is true that they are necessary, when no better can be had, but at least they should be chosen shallow, for certainly it is to be fear'd, that the Waterings will be very Inconsiderable, and consequently of little use, when the Water is difficult to be drawn up; the advantage of Pumps, though often deceitful, may be look'd upon as something in that Case; but the disburthening of some Springs or Conduits, a Neighbouring Canal, or a small Pond well stor'd, and well kept with Pipes and Tubs distributed into several Squares, are, as it were, the Soul of Vegetation; without it all is dead, or languishes in Gar∣dens, though the Gard'ner be not faulty; but with it the whole Garden must needs be Vigorous, and abounding in every Season of the Year, which will redound to the Honour of him who has the Management of it, whereas it will utterly Disgrace such as have no∣thing to plead for an Excuse.

CHAP. VIII.

Of the Fourth Condition, which requires the Garden to be partly upon a level, in all the Surface of it.

IT is very difficult, nay very rare to meet with Situations that are so equal in all their Extent, as not to have any Rise or Fall on any side; but yet it is not impossi∣ble: I do not think it very necessary to look for any to be as smooth as Water, but yet it is a happiness when such are met with; great Inequalities are certainly troublesom for Gardens. The Inundations or Overflowings which happen after long Rains, cause cruel Disorders in them, and cut out a World of Work to repair them; moderate Inequalities do no great harm, but rather good, especially in a dry Earth, when inclining to a Wall expos'd to the East, that part, as we have already said, being seldom soak'd by the Waters that fall from the Skies; they light most upon the Exposure of the West; and thus a fall guiding the Waters towards that East part, is very favourable.

Therefore, in my Opinion, as much as is possible, a situation that has but a little In∣equality is to be preferr'd before another that has much; and if any be tolerable, 'tis only that I have been speaking of; insomuch, that in Gardens that are too much inclinable to Drought, or lie somewhat high, and are of a perfect Level, it will be proper to allow them a little inequality: For Example, such a one as may be Imperceptible, and yet per∣petual in all the Walks that lie Southerly, to the end that the Water which is of no Use in those Walks may fall into the Feet of the Trees of those two Expositions.

Such an Artificial Descent produces two good Effects, the first in that it is to be wish'd that those parts may never want a little moisture, in order to Correct their Drought, whether proceeding from the Nature of the Earth and Situation, or from the Heat of the Sun by those Waters. The second is to hinder those Waters, by that means, from running into some other parts of the Garden, where they might prove prejudicial.

But when there is an indispensable Necessity of making Use of a Situation that is very unequal for a Garden. I explain hereafter in the Thirteenth Chapter what I think proper to be done, in order to Correct the Defects of it, as far as Industry can reach.

CHAP. IX.

Of the Fifth Condition, which requires a pleasant Figure for a Garden, together with a well plac'd Entrance.

IT will not be difficult for me to prove, That the Figure of our Gardens ought to be agreeable; it is necessary the Eyes should meet at first wherewith to be satisfy'd, without any thing Fantastical to offend them: The finest Figure that can be desir'd for a Fruit or Kitchen-Garden, and even the most convenient for Culture, is without doubt that which forms a Beautiful Square, especially when it is so perfect, and so well pro∣portion'd in all its Extent, that not only the Corners may form streight Angles; but es∣pecially, that the Length may be above once and a half or twice as long again as it is broad: For Instance, Twenty Fathom to Ten or Twelve, Fourty to Eighteen or Twenty, or Fourscore to Forty, Fifty or Threescore, &c. For it is most certain, that those square Figures afford the Gard'ner, wherewith to form fine Squares with Ease, and to raise fine Beds; there is a great deal of Delight in seeing true Squares of Stawberries, Artichokes, Asparagus, &c. great Beds of Charvel, Parsly and Sorrel, all very even, streight, exactly proportion'd out, &c. which cannot be done when the Figure is Irregular, or at least, not without losing a great deal of Time, when in some Measure, to hide the Defor∣mity of it, he endeavours to find or make something approaching to a Square.

Whence it is easie to conclude, how much I dislike in the Case of Kitchen-Gardens, all other Indented Figures, Diagonals, Rounds, Ovals, Triangles, &c. which are only proper for Thickets and Parterres, or Flower Gardens, in which Places they are at once both very useful, and of a great Beauty.

I do not question but all People will be Curious to afford their Gardens the Beautiful Figure now in Question, when at Liberty to pick and chuse. It is a great Vexation

when an ill Neighbourhood reduces us to the Necessity of suff'ring imperfect Figures, In∣lets, and unequal sides, &c. Happy are those who meet with kind obliging Neighbours; Wo to them who meet with such as are cross and ill natur'd.

[illustration]

Although the Figure of an Oblong Right Angled Square, be the most proper, yet I have made a fine Kitchen Garden of one hundred and ten Toises or Fathoms in length, and sixty broad, somewhat resembling the Figure A of a Lozenge; and whereas I have dis∣pos'd the chief Entrance in the middle of the narrowest side, it is not easie to distinguish the small Irregularity a Geometritian would sind in it, and it is a very necessary Precaution to conceal as much as is possible, certain inconsiderable defects, which are met with in the space of a Garden, and to dispose the Ally's, and the division of the Squares or Plats, as if the Ground was exactly of a Square Figure; for though neither the Angles or the four sides are perfectly equal, it does not hinder the Plats from appearing perfect in their Proportion.

Moreover, for the better Ornament of our Kitchen Garden, especially if it be large, it is proper that the Entrance should be plac'd just in the middle of that part which has most Extent, as it appears by the Figure at the Point A in order to face an Alley, which consisting of the whole length of the Garden, may appear stately, and divide the Ground into two equal parts; each of those parts, composing Squares or Plats too long in pro∣portion to their breadth, must afterwards be subdivided into other small parts, if ne∣cessary; the Entrance would not look so well in the middle of one of the broadest sides, as it appears by the Figure B. a long Prospect, moderately broad on both sides is much more pleasing; than to have a long one on the sides, and a short one before; however, it is sometimes impossible to dispose the Entrance otherwise, and in such a Case we must have Patience, and the same when we are necessitated to make it in one of the Corners, or thereabouts, though it be not so well; yet I have made very fine Gardens, which have their Entrance in one of the Corners, which I would not have done, had the dis∣position of the Ground permitted me to place it better; and yet no body finds fault with it, by reason that it faces a fine Alley, which is border'd all along by one of the great Espaliers, or Walls full of Fruit, which is very agreeable to the sight, when it is kept in good Order, such is the Entrance of the Kitchen-Garden of Rambouillet.

CHAP. X.

Of the sixth Condition which requires a Garden to be well enclos'd with Walls and Doors that shut well.

THIS Inclosure, I desire, sufficiently testifies, that for Fruit and Kitchen Gardens I am not very desirous of those open Prospects which are so necessary for other Gardens; not but when the Situation will permit, I am very glad to enjoy the benefit of it. But that which I desire above all things, is that my Garden may be secur'd from Foreign as well as Domestick Thieves, and that the Eye may be so delighted in sur∣veying all the things that should be in it, that there may be no room left to wish for any thing besides to divert it.

A Wall well garnish'd, Dwarfs well order'd, and very vigorous; all manner of fine good Fruits of every Season, fine Beds, and fine Plats, well furnish'd with all manner of ne∣cessary Legumes, clean Walks, of a proportionable largeness, fine Bordures, fill'd with useful things for the House: In fine, a well contriv'd diversity of all that is necessary in a Kitchen Garden; so that nothing may be wanting, either early or late, or for the abun∣dance of the middle Seasons; these indeed are the things we ought to covet in our Gar∣dens, and not a Steeple, or Wood in Perspective, a great Road, or the Neighbourhood of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 R••v••r. In my Opinion, the Cloth as it were, should always be laid in a fine Garden, without mattering to see what passes in the open Fields.

A Kitchen Garden might have the finest Prospect in the World, and yet appear to me very ugly in it self, if wanting any thing of what it should have, instead of finding it 〈…〉〈…〉re, I should be necessitated to go without it, or to have recourse to my Neighbours, or my Purse.

So that preferably to all manner of Prospects, I would have my Garden inclos'd with Walls, though I were to lose some fine point of Prospect by it, besides that the shelter they may afford against troublesome Winds, and Spring Frosts, are very considerable: It is almost impossible to be truly delighted with a Garden, as for instance, to have early Legumes and fine Fruits without the help of those Walls; besides, there are still many things, which dreading great heats, would hardly be able to grow in the hottest part of the Summer, unless a Wall expos'd to the North favour'd them with some shadow.

In effect, Walls are so necessary for Gardens, that even to multiply them, I make as many little Gardens as I can in the Neighbourhood of the great one, whereby I have not only more Wall-Fruit or Espaliers, and shelter, which is very considerable; but am also thereby enabled to correct some defects and Irregularities, which would render the Gar∣den desagreeable; for in fine, I will at any rate have a principal Garden, that may please in its Figure and size, design'd for large Legumes, and some high Standards; a large Garden would without doubt be less pleasing, if for Instance, it were too long for its breadth, or too wide for its length, if it had a corner, or some visible wriness to disfigure it, which being retrench'd, would make all the rest square; and thus such Gardens being lessen'd either on one, or on both ends, will afford ground to make little agreeable useful Gardens, as I have done in many great Houses, in the Neighbourhood of Paris.

Besides the Inclosure of the Walls, I am likewise for having good Locks to my Doors, that my Gard'ner may be able to answer for all that is in the Garden; I am sensible that there are some, who are very discreet and careful, but then I likewise know that there are others who desire nothing more than to have some Pretences.

CHAP. XI.

Of the last Condition, which requires that both the Fruit and Kitchen-Garden, should not be far distant from the House, and that the coming to it should be easie and convenient.

I Am not ignorant that the Countrey affords large and moderate Houses, of which the first may be accompany'd with several Gardens, and the other satisfy'd with one only.

As to those which may have several Gardens, it is proper that those that are design'd for Flowers and Shrubs, I mean the Parterres, should face the principal Aspect of the House, since nothing can be more agreeable than to see at all times on that side the charming va∣riety of a Succession of Flowers whatever they be; they are so many different Scenes, or Decorations upon a Stage, of which the Figure never alters, they afford perpetual mat∣ter to delight the Eye, and charm us with their Sweets; but whereas generally those Parterres are as publick, and as open to every body as the very Court of the House, it is not fit to put any thing into them, the loss whereof might discompose us.

For these Reasons I allow that in such Houses, the Fruit and Kitchen-Garden should not be Situated in the best Place, besides the last being subject to have many things, which though necessary, are not always pleasing to the Eye or Smell; as also producing many things, design'd for the Pleasure and Satisfaction of the Master, which might tempt some licourish indiscreet Persons, and so occasion cause of Displeasure and Complaint, I think it very necessary to place those Gardens out of the reach of the Publick.

Therefore as much as can be, we content our selves with placing them in the best Ground we can meet with, without prejudicing the place of the Parterre, pretty near to * 1.18 the House, being of a convenient easie Access; the Ancients were of this Sentiment, when they said, that the Steps of the Master, that is, his frequent Visits, were of won∣derful use for the Neatness, Abundance, Goodness and Beauty of Gardens; so that Gardens that are at a distance, or of difficult Access, are liable to Disorders, Filth and Sterility, &c.

I hope that whereas in the beginning of this Work, I have presum'd to say, that none ought to pretend to have one of our Gardens, unless he were passably well skill'd in the Culture of it; none will undertake to make one, unless he may be able to afford himself the Pleasure of seeing it well Cultivated, and consequently he will de∣sire to see it often, which cannot be done, the Garden being at a distance, or of a diffi∣cult Access.

As to the Houses, that can no wise afford above one Garden, I suppose it will hardly enter into any ones Thoughts to employ it wholly in Box or Bowling-Greens, instead of Imploying it in Fruits and Legumes: In such a Case, whether in the Town or Country, the space of the Garden being reasonably large, it will be proper to take part of that which is nearest to make a small Parterre, leaving the rest for things that are of use and necessary; but if the Place be not large, my Advice is to make no Parterre; at least I would make none, being persuaded, that Flowers may be easily dispens'd with; resolving then to employ ones Ground in Plants that are for use; that part of the Kitchen-Garden which is most pleasing, ought to be put most within sight of the House, keeping such as might offend the Sight or Smell, most at distance: Fine Espaliers, Dwarfs, Greens, Arti∣chokes, Sallads and the perpetual Action of the Gard'ners, &c. being sufficient to employ the Neighbourhood of some Windows, even for pretty considerable Houses, as well as for ordinary ones.

I am so sensible of the innocent Pleasure, the sight of a fine Kitchen-Garden can afford, that I am for making some fine Arbor in all large Gardens, not only to serve for shelter in case of a sudden Storm, which happens pretty often, but also for the Satisfaction of conveniently seeing the Culture of a Ground that is well em∣ploy'd.

Notwithstanding all I have said, I do not condemn those, who having but a ve∣ry small Garden, affect Flowers, their Inclination leading them to it preferably to any other Plants.

Having said what is to be wish'd for, when People are at liberty to choose the Place of a Garden, let us now consider what is to be done when within the Depen∣dency of a House, we find our selves reduc'd and necessitated to make use of any Place, whatever it may be, regular or irregular, good, indifferent or bad; and let us follow the same Order we have observ'd in the pretended choice I have explain'd.

CHAP. XII.

Of what is to be done to correct a Defective Ground, either as to the Quality of the Earth, or the Lack of a sufficient Quantity.

WHereas the most material Article for Fruit and Kitchen-Gardens is to have a good Ground, if notwithstanding the Ground where this Garden is to be situated should have some considerable Defect, which might be corrected, I think I should be blame-worthy to go on without explaining my self upon what I think proper to be done in such a Case; in my Opinion, those kind of Defects may be reduc'd particularly to Five.

• The First, is a very bad Earth.
• The Second, an indifferent Earth.
• The Third, a pretty good Earth, but not enough of it.
• The Fourth, to have no Earth at all.
• The Fifth and Last, That though never so good, the too great Moisture it may be subject to, may render it incapable of Improvment by the Culture of a Skilful Gard'ner.

As to the first Case, I cannot forbear pitying those who start so Ill, as to make a Gar∣den in a place where the Ground is absolutely defective, especially if there were any possi∣bility of placing it better. First, I pity them, by reason of the great charge they expose themselves to, which I dread of all things, especially in Fruit and Kitchen-Gardens, being perswaded that the property of those Gardens is to cost little, and to yield much. Second∣ly, I pity them for the small Success, that infallibly attends such an undertaking, espe∣cially when those Works that are necessary there, are only perform'd by halves: I wish none of the Curious may be expos'd to such Hardships; but yet supposing an unavoid∣able Necessity of falling into the first Case, to make a Garden in a very bad Ground, let us consider what remedy may be apply'd to it, and finally endeavour to make this Garden with as few Defects, and as small a Charge as can be possible.

First then, if the Earth be absolutely defective, either in stinking or being absolute Loam or Clay, or such as is dug out of Quarries, or else Stony, Gravelly and full of Pebbles; or, lastly, being only dry Sand of any Colour, but still as unfruitful as the Sand of Rivers, and yet as high as to the Surface, as can be desir'd for a Garden. I will explain hereafter what I mean by that height.

I say, if this Earth happen to have any of these Defects, I know no better Expedient than to have it altogether taken away, in order to succeed, and that within the Depth of three Foot in such Places as are to be the chief Ornaments of the Gardens; viz. the Trees and long Rooted Plants, and two large Foot where the lesser Plants are to be, filling it up again with the same quantity of the best Mould that can conveniently be brought to it; which being done, one may rest satisfy'd for a long while, all will go well, without the trouble of any other Amendments; but in case so much good Mould as would be necessary to put every where, could not conveniently be had; at least it will be necessary to endeavour to get as much as may serve for the Trees, making a shift with indifferent good Mould for the rest of the Garden, that is, for Kitchen-Plants, it will not be difficult to amend it, as shall be declar'd hereafter.

I am sensible, that the Charge of great Transportations, frightens, especially in the case of large Gardens, but then 'tis but seldom that People engage themselves to the Ne∣cessity of it; those are works for Kings, the Kitchen Garden of Versailles is a terrible Instance of it: But as for small City Gardens, the occasions of doing it are often met with, and whereas the Expence of it is not too great, the Undertaking of it is very tollerable. This then is all that is to be done, when the Surface of the Garden is no higher than it ought to be, and has no other Defect than the ill Quality of the Ground.

In order to Explain my self as to this height, I suppose that the Matter in Hand only relates to the Garden that is immediately next the House, for which it is, and no wise for others, which Lying at a greater distance do not want so much precaution; now, in my Opinion, this first Garden ought to lie somewhat lower than the House, and thus the House being upon a higher Ground, it ought to have a Ballustre with some Steps to come down into that Garden, which is an Ornament to be wish'd for in such Occasions, and without doubt such an assent of Two or Three Foot above the Surface of the Garden, renders it much more pleasant to Sight, than it would be, if it lay level with the step of the Door, and consequently much finer than those that lay higher than the level or floor; which re∣quire an assent, and are thereby liable to great Inconveniences.

I return to the other Cases heretofore propos'd to say, That in case such a Place full of ill Earth, were too low, of about Five or Six Foot in Surface, it is visible that half the Expence would be sav'd, since there would only be a necessity of raising it higher, with∣out taking any of it away; but however we must still reckon first on the small descent the Garden ought to be situated upon, in relation to the House; and, secondly upon the Three Foot of Earth that must be brought thither, particularly for the Trees and large Plants, and in order not to be mistaken, it will be proper to measure that Earth upon the place where it is to be taken with a rul'd Gage, by reason that this height of Three Foot, as it lies, being newly stir'd, will at first appear to make a greater Dimension, which af∣terwards being settled will reduce it self to the height propos'd, which I hold to be abso∣lutely neccssary, and unless care has been taken to measure the Earth before the moving of it, People must not flatter themselves that there will be enough, unless there be Four Foot or thereabouts in the first Months, which the Rains and Time will soon reduce to Three; otherwise, having had but Three Foot at first, they will soon find it dwindled to Two at most; that is too little by a Foot: And thus People will be expos'd to the Vexationof seeing all their Trees perish at the end of a few Years, and to be reduc'd to begin a new, if they continu'd in the mind of mkaing their Trees succeed.

In the Neighbourhood of great Cities, great Conveniences may sometimes be met with to raise and fill up places in Gardens without much cost, 'tis only allowing the Liberty of throw∣ing the Rubbish of the Foundations of Houses there; but often such Conveniences cost a great deal of Time, which in the Case of Planting is much to be fear'd, and even costs a great deal of Money to have it sifted, otherwise the Garden will be in danger of having more Stones and ill Sand than real Earth, and consequently the Owner of having an ill Garden; upon which every one may consult his Purse and Pleasure, and regulate himself accordingly.

The Answer I have made to the first Article, relating to a very ill Earth, where a Gar∣den is design'd, may likewise serve for the Fourth, in which we suppose a place for a Garden without any Earth at all; Three Foot of good Earth must be brought to it, getting it as near hand as can be to save Money.

In the Second Case, in which the Ground having a sufficient depth, the Earth is notwith∣standing but Indifferent; that is, either a little too dry and light, or a little too tough and moist, which are the two common Defects; or else, that there may be cause to judge it too much ••orn or exhausted: In such cases, immediate care must be taken to mend it, sup∣posing one designs to have such Things in it as good Earth produces; the best of all Re∣medies is still to mix some new Earth with it, with this precaution, to mix loamy Earth with that as is light, and sandy Mould with that as is tough; and, in fine, to take such as is really good, to mix with that which is worn out or exhausted, unless you design to give it time to amend it self by Rest: And in case, as I have already said in the first Article, there be no sufficient convenience to get Mould enough for the whole Garden, it will be proper to begin with the place for the Trees which requires it most; and for the rest, recourse must be had to the common Amendments for Kitchen-Plants.

Thirdly, When the Earth is really good; but yet there is not enough of it to accomplish Three Foot depth, two Considerations are to be had; the first to examine whether the Surface be of a proper height or not: When it is of a proper height, all that is nought in the Ground must of necessity be removed, whether Sand, Gravel or Stones, putting as much good Mould in the Room of it, as will be necessary to have the depth requir'd, still preserving our Height.

Therefore the same Operation must be perform'd, in removing all that is bad under good Earth, when the Surface being, too high compar'd to the level of the House, there is a necessity of sinking it, in order to be one step higher than the level of the Garden; upon which all People may easily regulate themselves, to do it more or less ac∣cording to the Exigencies of their Ground and its wants; but still, keeping to the quantity of good Earth propos'd, as well as to the distance that must be from the Sur∣face of the Garden to the Door which serves for an Entrance into it.

The Earth being according to our Wishes, both as to quantity and goodness, and yet too low in the Surface; we must likewise examin how much too low it lyes, in order to raise it conformably to our Wants and Wishes; it might chance to lay so low, that there would be a necessity to raise it considerably above three Foot, in which case all the good Earth must be dug up, and laid aside, and the bottom rais'd sufficiently with what ever could be got good or bad; after which the good Earth must be laid over it again with the ma∣nagement and mixture heretofore explain'd. I could wish I had better Expedients to pro∣pose to avoid the Charges of Transportation; but truly I know none.

There now remains to Examine what is to be done in the fifth Case, to correct the over great Moistures some Gardens are subject to, which rot every thing, and make the Pro∣duction not only backward, but also insipid and bad; none but hot and dry Earths are forward; those that are moist are always cold, and consequently have no disposition for * 1.19 Novelties. This cold which is inseparable from Moisture, is of all defects the most diffi∣cult to be cur'd: The Ancients knew it as well as we do, and have given it the Name of Deceiver. But still since Earth has been submitted to the Industry of Man, and that there are but few things labour cannot overcome; let us declare what a long Experience has taught us in this Case.

Moistures are either natural and perpetual in Earth, or only accidental and passing; in the first case we have two Expedients:

The first is, to turn aside at a distance, if possible, by Conduits or Gutters, the Wa∣ters that annoy us, and give them a discharge to remove them from us, which being done, the Ground will not fail becoming dry; and when the first is impracticable,

The second is, To raise the whole Plats, or only the great Beds upon Ridges, and to that end make deep Furrows to serve for kind of Paths: The Earth that is taken from thence will serve to raise the Plats or Beds.

But if those Moistures are only Transitory, and, for Instance, only occasion'd by great Rains, and the nature of the Ground not proper to soak them in, recourse must be had to the same Expedient of raising of the Earth to drain them, and to the making of Con∣duits or Gutters to carry those Waters out of the Garden.

Finally, The Moisture not being extraordinary, the contrary of what we have pre∣scrib'd for very dry Grounds must be done, that is, the Earth must be rais'd a little high∣er than the Walks, to the end that those Walks may serve as a drain to those elevated Beds, just as in the other Case the haughing of the Borders serves as a drain to receive and improve by the Waters of the adjacent Walks.

In order to raise Grounds, nothing can be better than what we have said to raise the Surface; and in case Conveniences be wanting for the Transportation of Earth, having abundance of great Dung at hand, it may be us'd instead of it, as I have said about the Kitchen-Garden of Versailles, mixing it abundantly at the bottom of the Ground, or under∣neath the Earth, in order to raise it as much as is necessary; but still great Conduits are of great use.

I conclude what relates to the Preparation of such Grounds as are defective, either in their quality, or too small quantity, carefully exhorting those who dig the Ground along some Walls, to take care first not to approach too near the Foundations, and to leave always some solid Banck undug, lest the Wall might tumble down by its own weight, or by some unexpected showers. I exhort in the second place to fill up such Trenches immediately after their being empty'd, or rather at the very same time, one part after another; for want of which, and for the same Reasons, the danger of tumbling is yet greater.

After having examin'd what relates to the Conditions that are necessary for the Fruit and Kitchen-Gardens that are to be made, viz. The quality and quantity of good Earth, the happy Situation, and favourable Exposure, the convenience of Waterings, the level of the Ground, the Figure, Entrance and Closure of the Garden, together with the Proximity of the Place; having also propos'd the means to correct the de∣fects of Drought and Moisture, there still remains to speak upon the Subject of the Acclivities and Declivities, when they are too sleep for the Gardens we are absolutely compell'd to choose.

CHAP. XIII.

Concerning the Acclivities and Declivities of every Garden.

WE have already said what is to be wish'd for certain Inequalities, that may be fa∣vourable in Gardens, and Insinuated what is to be fear'd from the Inconveniences of the great ones; let us now speak of what may be proper to remedy such as may be cor∣rected; In order to which, as soon as the Place of the Garden is resolv'd on, upon the Considerations heretofore establish'd, the Figure being either very square, so that the Sides and Angles may be altogether, or at least partly Equal and Parallel, which is most to be wish'd for; or else Irregular, the Angles or Sides being unequal, or having perhaps more or less than four Sides or Angles, both the one and the other differing in themselves, either in length or overture, &c. are Defects fit to be avoided, if possible, or at least endeavours must be us'd to rectifie them.

The Place of the Garden being, I say, resolv'd upon, either Voluntarily or out of Ne∣cessity, the Enclosure must not be begun, until after having taken the Level of all the Ground, to know all the Acclivities and Declivities, in order to take Measures accordingly; otherwise one might fall into many great Inconveniences, either as to the Walls that are to be made, or in respect to the Allies and Squares.

It is most certain; that every piece of Ground may chance to have different Risings and Falls, viz. One, Two or Three for as many sides; and One for every Diagonal: And 'tis almost impossible to know the true Level of a Garden, without having first taken, and after∣wards regulated all the Inequalities.

The Diagonals, to speak more Intelligibly in Favour of some Gard'ners, are, as it were, the two Arms of a St. Andrew's Cross, which may and ought to be figur'd by Trenches carried from Corner to Corner a cross some Place.

There is no necessity of saying, that the Level of those Inequalities are always taken from the highest part of the piece that is to be Level'd, to go to the lowest which is opposite to it, no Body being ignorant of it. Thus the Level of the Diagonals is taken, beginning from Corner, or Angle, to go to a lower opposite Corner: For Instance, the Diagonal A. B. begins at a Corner or Angles, which is form'd by the meeting of two sides, whereof the one is expos'd to the East, and the other to the South, to go to a lower opposite side, which is form'd by the meeting of the side expos'd to the West, and the side expos'd to the North; the other Diagonal shall be drawn from the one to the other of the two Corners, or An∣gles, C. D. which remain in the Figure we are examining, and is mark'd here. The

[illustration]

Level of the Exposure is taken all along every side, beginning, as we have said, from the highest part to come to the lowest.

In order to take every Level very true, it must be done upon a very streight Line, which shall be drawn either along the side that is to be level'd, which is the best; or upon another Line very Parallel to that side.

Every Level to be pretty true, though not so true as that of the Water of Fountains, in which even half a Line is very material; but, in fine, to be sufficient for the use now in question, every Level, I say, must be taken with the Rule and Leveller, which every body knows is a Triangular Instrument with a Lead, or other little Bowl hung to a small

[illustration]

Cord, and that fix'd to the obtuse Angle; this Leveller being fix'd upon the Rule, this small Cord must meet the notch that is made on purpose, both on the Top of that An∣gle, and upon the middle point of the side that serves for a Basis to that Instrument, inso∣much, that that Level is never true until that Cord with its Lead naturally falls into those Notches.

This is the manner of performing this Operation, which I might, perhaps, save my self the trouble of Explaining, it being already Explain'd in so many Books of Mathema∣ticks and Mechanicks; but our Gard'ner perhaps having none of them, will be satisfy'd with what I shall tell him.

Besides the Leveller and the Rule, which must be very streight, and about Two or Three Fathom long, there must be three wooden Spikes to be driven into the Ground with a Mallet; and those three Spikes must be of a very even equal length, about Three or Four Foot, all split on the Top, in order to put white Paper in that slit.

I should not need to say (it being evident of it self) That there must be at least Three or Four Persons, that is, Three while the Rule and Leveller are us'd, and Four when it comes to the Spikes; one of these Persons must in all Cases stand on the lowest part of the side that is to be Levell'd, holding a Perch to serve for a Mark, in order to raise or louer the said Perch, according to the Direction of him who is to regulate the Line and Leveller.

To find the Level: Having chosen a calm Day without Wind and Rain, and, if pos∣sible, a little lou'ring; or, at least, being so plac'd, that the great brightness of the Sun may not prejudice the Sight, one of these Spikes must be driven into the Ground even to the Surface, which must remain, and another in a streight Line a little below it; in order to place the Rule immediately and conveniently upon it, which being done, the Le∣veller must be put upon the Rule, raising or sinking the second Spike, until the Lead falls directly, and of it self, without any Motion of the Wind, or any thing else into the Notches.

This being perform'd, the second Spike must be absolutely fix'd, and the Leveller re∣mov'd, after which, lying flat upon the Ground, one may aim or level with the Eye upon the Rule so fix'd and order'd towards the Person who holds the Perch below with a white or black Cloth on the Top of it, who perhaps may have had occasion to climb upon a Ladder, Wall or Tree, to raise or louer the said Perch according to the direction of the Leveller, and that until the Extremity of it, having been observ'd by the said Leveller, a Calculation may be made exactly how many Foot or Fathoms there are in a direct Per∣pendicular Line from that Extremity, which is the Top of the Perch or Spike, unto the natural Surface of the Ground, which lies immediately beneath the said Perch, &c.

And whereas the posture of lying down is too Inconvenient; the Ground may and ought to be dug near the first Spike that is driven into the Ground, low enough for any one to level with the Eye, standing, sitting or kneeling in it; or else use may be made of two of the Spikes heretofore mention'd, to which end they must be plac'd asunder upon two others that are fix'd into the Ground, or upon some other piece of Wood, or rising Ground made on purpose, where they must be kept very upright, after which the Rule must be plac'd upon the said sticks, examining with the Leveller, whether the Rule lies

upon a true level, in order to level or aim with the Eye, and when there is occasion for a third person, and consequently for a third stick, they must be plac'd with the same Ex∣actness as the two first; the third being plac'd at any distance whatever, having a piece of Linen, or Paper, or a Hat upon the top of that spike, serves to aim more conveniently; so that having met at the End of the prospect, the extremity of the perch or stick that is held below, the borrow'd height of the sticks, as well as the height of the Rule, must be deduc'd upon the whole, and thus the Level will prove true. For Instance, in aiming, Twelve Foot may be found from the top of the Perch to the Surface of the Earth, out of which may be deduc'd first the four borrow'd Foot of the sticks, upon the Top of which the Leveller had laid his Rule, for which must also be deduc'd Three or Four Inches, which altogether amounts to Four Foot, and Four Inches; by which Supputation will be found seven Foot and Eight Inches declivity from that part of the Surface which is regulated, and to remain, from whence the Leveller aim'd, to the Surface of that part, where the last spike stuck, the level of which is look'd for.

These Inequalities are either Considerable, or not.

Those that are Inconsiderable are tolerable; for Instance, only half an Inch or an Inch and a half in a Fathom, which hardly wants, being corrected, if the Expence will amount to any thing considerable; so that a declivity of about a Foot or Two, or Two and a half to a length of Twenty Fathom, will do no great harm, and would hardly be percep∣tible, being only of half an Inch, or an Inch and half in a Fathom: Which ought to comfort one, especially if there be a great length, since a declivity of Twelve or Fifteen Foot upon Fourscore Fathom in length, though pernicious, is not so sensible nor inconvenient as one of Two Foot and a half upon Twenty Fathom, although the proportion be al∣together equal.

If a descent of two, or two Inches and a half per Fathom is considerable, what would it be if there were three, four, five, or more, then it must of necessity be corrected, which may be done four ways.

First, in sinking that part of the Ground which lyes too high, as much as will be neces∣sary to take away the roughness of the Ascent; and, in the second place, in carrying to the lower part what shall be taken from the higher, whereby a descent of five Foot will be reduc'd to three, taking a foot from the upper part, and placing it upon the lower; so that the upper will be a Foot lower than it was, and the lower a Foot higher, &c.

But whereas, above all things, care must be taken to preserve always three large Foot in depth of good Earth, before any thing be taken away from the upper part, holes must be made in different places of it, to examin how much good Earth we have there, in order to decide, whether we may really take any of it away, and how much; or whether we cannot take any part of it without prejudice to the Ground of the Garden; upon which it is easie to resolve; for the depth of good Earth being sufficient to bear a diminution, part of it must be taken away to moderate the declivity in question.

But if, on the contrary, none of it can be taken away without prejudice to the depth or quantity that is necessary there, recourse must be had to a third Expedient, which is, either not to meddle with the height at all, and to raise the lower part as well as we can for the best, in putting more good Earth over that which is good already, if it can be done conveniently, or else to take up that which is good, to put worse at the bottom, nay even Stones or Gravel, if nothing better can be had; afterwards covering it all again with the good Earth that was taken up before; or if the Ground of the upper part may be sunk, all the good Earth must be taken up and laid aside, until so much of the bad, which lay under it, as shall be thought proper, shall have been remov'd; which being done, that which is good shall be laid again in the room of the bad.

But in case none of these three Expedients be practicable, we must make use of the fourth, which is pretty chargeable, but yet absolutely necessary; and he who meets with so untoward a Situation, must comfort himself as well as he can, if he designs to have a profitable pleasant Garden, since it is impossible to compass it by any other means.

This fourth Expedient is to divide this great descent into different degrees, or different Portions, to make several particular Terrasses of it, some higher, and some lower, and all of them more or less broad, according as the declivity is more or less considerable; after which every one of those Terrasses shall be dispos'd in themselves, according to the Me∣thod aforementioned, in order to correct moderate Inequalities; but that is not all, for every one of those Terrasses must be supported and stay'd to hinder them from tumbling down, which must be done by little Walls, or small Banks well beaten and trampled, with some steps proper to descend from the one to the other, or else by some Banks that shall be sodded on purpose, to make them the more solid and lasting; and finally, as if they were

so many separate Gardens, they must be accompany'd with Walks of a breadth proportion'd to their length, as we shall declare in the Sequel.

To end this matter, I am only to add, that the little Walls may serve for very good Wall-Fruit, the Exposure being good, or else for Rasberry-bushes, Goosberry Shrubs, or Bourde∣lais, the Exposure standing Northward; the small Banks will not be useless neither, on the contrary, lying to the South or East, they may be useful for Spring Plants, as Winter Let∣tuce, Pease, Beans, Strawberries, Artichokes, &c. and after the Spring they may be us'd for Purcelane, Basil, &c. and if there be abundance of those Banks well expos'd, a considerable part of them may always be employ'd in good Grapes, and other Fruits, as I have done in the King's Kitchen-Garden, on certain Banks made on purpose.

When our Banks look to the North, they will be good all the Summer for Charvel, or else to sow things that must be Transplanted, as Lettuce, Succory, Cabbaget, Celery, &c. since there is no part of a Garden but may be useful for some things or other.

Those Banks require a necessary Precaution, which is not only to beat and trample them extream close at the bottom at the time they are made; but especially to keep the upper part of every Bank a little higher than the Neighbouring Alley to it, otherwise the Water running down from the Banks of the whole Terras, would soon ruin and demolish them; and, if notwithstanding this Precaution, any accident should befal it, it must of ne∣cessity be repair'd in the Winter, by adding some Earth to it, which must be well tram∣pled and beaten anew, leaving only three or four Inches of good Earth loose on the Sur∣face, which must be afterwards cultivated, in order to make that Place fit for Pro∣duction.

And whereas I do not expect that the great Inequalities of Gardens should be absolutely levell'd, I would have little Fences made from space to space in the Alleys or Walks, to turn the Water of great Showers into the adjacent Squares or Plats; which Fences must be made with boards stuck into the Ground a-cross the Walks, about two or three Inches above the Surface of the Walks; and in case those Fences or Stays should not prove suffi∣cient, I would have a drein made at the lower end of every Garden for the disburthening of those Waters; or at least, the Neighbourhood not allowing this discharge, I would have a great hole made (that is a kind of Well) in ones own Ground, fill'd with dry Bricks; for those Waters to lose themselves in, otherwise few Walls would be able to resist long against great Inundations without demolishing, and consequently, without causing great disorders.

CHAP. XIV.

Of the Disposition or Distribution of the whole Ground of every Fruit and Kitchen-Garden.

TWO particular Considerations are to be had in relation to every Fruit and Kitchen-Garden: The first is to order that Garden so, that it may be useful and abounding in its Production proportionably to its Extent, and the goodness of the Ground.

The second Consideration is to order it so, that it may be agreeable to the Eye, and convenient either for Walks, or Culture, and for Gathering, those being the two princi∣pal ends propos'd in the making of it, to which end it is not only sufficient to know what the Earth is capable of doing of it self without much help, but also what it is capable of performing without such and such helps it may receive.

To attain the first Point, which is the advantage of its Productions, the best parts of the Garden must be employ'd with all the Occonomy and Prudence that can be, with Plants and Seeds, insomuch that no part thereof may remain useless, putting into each such things as are most proper to succeed in them; and to attain the second, which is Beauty and Convenience, the Ground must not only be agreeably distributed into Squares or Plats, but the Walks must of necessity be made very neat, well plac'd, and of a suitable size, to the extent of the Ground, or Place, it being most certain, that no Intelligent Man will make a Garden without convenient Walks, which must be suited both as to size and num∣ber, to the largeness or scantiness thereof.

What we call the best parts of a Garden are really those which have the best Ground, in case, as it commonly happens, it be not equally good all over, as it were to be wish'd; but the goodness of the Earth being equal, the best parts or places of a Garden are those par∣ticularly that are most shelter'd from the Wind, and consequently receive most benefit by the Reflexion caus'd by the Walls.

By necessary well-plac'd Walks or Allys, we mean such as are commonly necessary either near the Walls, in order to see the Trees, the better, to cultivate them with more ease, and have the convenience of gathering the Fruit; or in the whole body of the Gar∣den, to divide the Ground in equal Squares, and to multiply the pleasure of Variety in Walking, to see and visit what those Plats or Squares contain, as also that the Culture of them may be perform'd with more ease and convenience by the Gard'ner.

Therefore, as I have already said, in our distribution we ought to look at once for the advantage of Production, and the Convenience of Culture of Walking.

As for the advantage of Production we will certainly find it, if, in the first place, we plant good Trees against all the Walls, even sometimes, without excepting the Face of the House, especially, in a small Garden, planting Dwarfs also round about the Squares, instead of the Counter Espaliers or Polehedges that were formerly in use, but are now abolish'd, by reason that the keeping of them in good order was very troublesom, and their Productions very Inconsiderable.

Secondly, We will find those Advantages, if our Squares are garnish'd with useful Bor∣dures, at a convenient distance from those Dwarfs, and finally, if the Body of every Square be continually fill'd with good Legumes, insomuch, that those of one Season be no sooner gather'd or pick'd, than the Earth be again prepar'd to receive others for, or of, another Season.

The Third Part of this Treatise will shew what Trees will be proper to plant in all kind of Gardens, either for Wall-Fruit or Dwarf-Standards; the Fourth will shew the man∣ner of Cultivating and Pruning of them; and the Sixth, which contains the Treatise of the Kitchen-Garden, will shew which are the Bordures I call useful, and which the Legumes of every Season, together with the Culture that is proper for them, in order to be fine, good and seasonable.

It is not sufficient to have set down in general, what relates to the Advantages of the Production, we must likewise declare what relates to the Conveniences of Culture, and the Pleasure of Walking; therefore we are now to regulate the space that is to be allow'd before the Espaliers, or flat Bordures, when any are made; to regulate the large∣ness of the Squares, and finally the place and breadth of the Walks of every Garden, what∣ever size it be of.

When I shall speak here of the Allies or Walks, I only mean the place destin'd for Walking, and nothing else, as some do, who in their Disposition give the name of Walks to all the Space that lies from the Wall to the Dwarfs of the Counter Espalier or Polehedge, or the Distance that lies from one Dwarf to another in the Division of the Squares or Ground Plats: This Space of Walks must never be narrower than five or six Foot, though the Garden be never so small, and ought seldom to exceed Eighteen or Twenty, though the Kitchen-Garden be never so large. This is what I had to say, as to the breadth, with this Proviso, That in the first place every Walk must be more or less broad in pro∣portion to its length; and, in the second place, that it must always be kept very smooth and gravell'd, and as firm as can be under Foot, otherwise it would not be convenient for Walking.

It will not be improper to declare here wherein the Difference between a Walk and a Path consists: A Walk must be broad enough for two Persons to walk a-breast at least, and therefore cannot be allow'd less than five or six Foot; without which it would no longer be a real Walk, but a large Path; and, as to Paths, provided one person can go through them they are large enough, and therefore do not require above a Foot, or a Foot and a half at most in breadth.

CHAP. XV.

Of the Disposition or Distribution of a very small Garden.

I Proceed now to the particulars of every Garden, and say, That commonly there are but few Gardens that have not at least five or six Fathom in breadth, with a propor∣tionable length, since the name of Garden could hardly be bestow'd upon a narrower place; but however, whatever it be, it is certain, that such a place being well situated, that is, in the Face of the House, is a great Ornament to it, whether immediately joining to it, or divided by some small Yard. In case then of such a small Garden, in my Opinion, in order to manage the Ground to the best Advantage, the Entrance must be made in the midst of that breadth, with a Walk of about six Foot, which must be the only Walk, leaving only small Paths along the Walls and Bordures, about a Foot broad; and in case the Entrance should chance to be at one of the Corners, as sometimes one is necessitated to make it, we must likewise be satisfied with one Walk along the first Wall which pre∣sents it self at that Corner; this Walk may chance to have the Sun one part of the Day, and be shaded the rest, whereby it will be sometimes pleasant for walking.

If such a Garden being five or six Fathom broad, should happen to be as long again, it may very well be order'd, so as to contrive at every End, or, at least, at one of them a Walk of an equal breadth with the former, especially at that end which is nearest to the House, in which Case this walk may be allow'd a little more breadth than the other, which is an Observation the Practice whereof is very necessary in all kind of Gardens, especially great ones, to the end, that as it is customary to stop at the Entrance of a Garden; to consider it, a place may be found at first passably large, and consequently agreeable and airy: Those Walks at the ends will afford room for two or three disterent or separate Companies, which is a thing to be wish'd for.

Besides this, I would have the Walks that are along the Espaliers or Walls, at least at three or four Foot distance from the Walls, that the Trees may have at least three or four Foot of Cultivated Earth, whereas their former allowance was not near so considerable, by which means this Bank being pretty large, as I would have it for all Espaliers, even so as to make it yet much larger, in great Gardens, the Trees will not only be better nourish'd, but yet, besides the Bordures which support the Earth, and form an agreeable Figure in Gardens, some of those useful Plants that delight in the Neighbourhood of Walls, may be planted in them; I mean such as love to be shelter'd from cold dangerous Winds, which is a thing altogether necessary in order to have something in the Spring.

CHAP. XVI.

Of the Breadth that is to be allow'd the Bordures of Espaliers.

I Desire every Body to reflect upon this Article, in which I advise them to place the Walks at a pretty distance from the Espaliers, or Walls, by reason of the Advantages that may accrue from the shelter of the Walls, which shelter is of no use when it only fa∣vours Walks, which receive no benefit by it; for, in fine, what Inconvenience can attend the Cultivating of three or four Foot more to the right or left of the Walk, in respect to the good use that is to be made of the Mould of every Garden, whereas the three or four Foot I cause to be added to the small Bank, to which Espaliers were commonly con∣fin'd, will be much more profitable in that place, than if being imploy'd to some part of the Walk, an equal quantity to it were Cultivated on the other side of that Walk, by reason that it could not enjoy the benefit of the shelter of the Wall.

I will not absolutely decide, whether Dwarf Fruit-Trees ought to be planted in very small Gardens, every Man is free in that to follow his own Inclination, though, in my Opinion, it were best to have none, unless they were small Paradice Apple-Trees or Gooseberry Shrubs; I should fear those Dwarfs might grow so large as to offuscate or shadow the Wall-Fruit or Espaliers, which I have a particular respect for in this Place; besides, they would certainly be inconvenient for walking, and take away the Beauty and Pleasure of the Walk, not af∣fording it room to breathe in.

Therefore I would employ the smallness of my Ground in other Things than Fruit-Trees; for Instance, in Strawberries, Sallads and Pot-herbs, &c. or else one part one way, and the rest of another, to have some little thing or other to pick at all times; and thus the whole space of our little Garden, of which we have divided the breadth by one only Walk in the middle, or made it narrower by a walk along one of the Walls or Espaliers, should be cut cross-wise by Beds about five or six Foot broad, with several small Paths.

After having maturely examin'd the distribution I have now made, I find it so reasona∣ble that I would make no other, though it were for a Garden of seven or eight Fathom broad, nay, not even of those that consist of eight or nine.

CHAP. XVII.

Of the Distribution or Disposition of a Garden of a moderate bigness.

BUT if it were for a Garden of ten to eleven, or eleven to twelve Fathom, which composes a Garden of a moderate size, whether it has been thought fit in regard to its Situation, to place the Entrance of it at the middle, or else at one of the sides; in both Cases I would allow the Walks seven Foot in breadth, nay, I would even allow eight or nine to that which is parallel to the Front of the House, leaving, as I have already said, a Bank of about five or six foot for every Wall; so that in such a Disposition I should only make Walks along all the Walls: and thus there would remain in the midst of the Garden a square about six or seven Fathom broad, or from seven to eight upon the whole length, and if that length should chance to be about fifteen or twenty, or more, it would be fit to divide it into two equal parts by a Walk partly like that of the Espaliers or Walls; but I would not allow it above three Foot, that Square not being above ten or twelve Fathom long.

Now the Master might follow his own Inclination as to the imploying of that Square, either altogether in Fruit-Trees planted in equal distances, with Strawberries, and some small Legumes among them, only for the space of five or six years, while the Pear-Trees should be growing; or else to employ it part in Fruit-Trees, that is upon the edge of the Walks, always observing the distance I have heretofore mention'd, and the rest in Sallads, Greens, Artichokes and Strawberries, which is what I should like best, or else I might imploy the far∣thest part from the House wholly in Fruit-Trees, and the other in Legumes, every one of them having seven or eight Fathom in length to the breadth propos'd.

CHAP. XVIII.

Of the Distribution or Disposure of a Garden from fifteen to twenty Fathom in breadth, and one of five and twenty to thirty, and from thirty to forty.

I Proceed now to a Place from fifteen to twenty Fathom breadth, upon any length whatever, which I look upon as a fine Garden; and, in the first Place, I will examin whether that Garden joyns the House, or not; secondly, Whether the House be built with Free-stone, or only with a ragged Stone plaister'd over, or new pargetted.

The House not joyning to the Garden, Trees must be planted against all the Walls, the Garden being altogether inclos'd; nay, even though it were adjoyning, the Front being only plaister'd, or new pargetted; the same may be done, especially to have the benefit of the breadth and of the height of the space that lyes between the Windows, as well as of the lower part of the Windows; but if the Architecture be fine and rich, I would leave it naked and expos'd to the Eye of every body, since it would be a pitty to hide so fine an Ornament, through the hope of a little more Fruit.

In such a Place then, having fifteen or twenty Fathom in breadth, the length containing twenty five or thirty, I would have the Walks along the Walls eight or nine foot broad, nay, nine or ten, or more, the length amounting to five and thirty, or forty; and the Walk which offers it self at the Entrance, and is parallel to the Front of the House, What∣ever

length the Garden consisted of, I would allow five or six foot more than the rest, nay, it might be allow'd twelve or more, it being a Terras, as it happens sometimes, since the Terrasses adjoyning to a I louse can hardly ever be too broad.

Besides the Walks we have mention'd round about our Garden, there should be another in the middle to divide the breadth in two equal parts, and the breadth containing twenty Fathom, or a little more, it might be allow'd four or five foot more than those that are Parallel to the Walls to the right and left, especially this Walk fronting the entrance of the House.

As to the length of our Garden, which we suppose to be from thirty to forty Fathom, it must be divided in two by a cross Walk, almost about the same breadth with those of the sides, or only some feet less, considering the Extent is not so great, besides that gene∣rally it is closer by the Trees that edge it to the right and left, than those of its sides, which being favour'd by the Banks, have more Air than that of the middle.

Such a Walk cross-wise will form two Squares, which may have each about six or seven Fathom one way to nine, ten, or twelve on the other.

Whereupon I think it proper to say that a Square in any Garden whatever, always looks sine, when it consists of twelve or thirteen Fathom in length, and six, seven, or eight in breadth; and consequently much more when it is in some measure equal on all sides, and especially when it is a little longer than broad.

If it should happen at any time that going about to make a Walk on one of the sides of the Garden, one should meet with a Wall, which instead of being strait, should chance to be on a crooked Line in part of its extent, in such a case, in which we must not pretead to correct that defect absolutely, I am of Opinion still to make the Walk regular with strait Angels, that is, square, beginning it at four foot distance from that part of the Wall which advances most into the Walk, and making it Square on the Extremity where it is to end, it shall be garnish'd to the right and left with fine Bordures that shall mark it; and as for those parts which shall chance to be much broader with Earth than they should be according to our usual Disposition, it may be imploy'd usefully either in Straw-berries, or other Plants, that are not capable to offuscate the Wall-Trees.

There are sometimes lengths of three or fourscore Fathom, and even more to eighteen or twenty in breadth, which we are speaking of, in which case that length must needs be divided into three or four equal Portions by cross Walks; and whereas such a length bears no Proportion to the breadth, I would stop the Prospect of our Gar∣den within forty or fifty Fathom from the House by some Wall, or, at least, by some Pal∣lisade; such a Wall might be proper to multiply the Espaliers or Wall-Fruit, or that Palli∣sade for Grapes, or other Fruit-Trees, and thus we should gain on all sides, either as to the Advantage of Production, or the Pleasure of the Eye.

Although the space of a Garden should contain five and twenty, thirty, or thirty five Fathom in breadth, I would make no other distribution of it, than what we have already made to a breadth of fifteen or twenty, unless it were to make the Walks somewhat broad∣er, in proportion to their length.

CHAP. XIX.

Of the Disposition or Distribution of Gardens of an extraordinary size.

IF the breadth of such a Garden should amount to threescore, threescore and ten, or fourscore Fathom, or more; I would divide it into four equal Portions, as I have done at Versailles, and in several other Kitchen-Gardens; or else I would make Counter-Walks garnish'd with Dwarfs upon the flat Bordures, as I have done at Rambouillet for his Grace the Duke of Montausier, upon condition that in those two Cases the two Walks pa∣rallel to the Chief, which we suppose in the middle, about three Fathom broad, should not be allow'd above eight or nine foot: In my Opinion, it were a pitty to make them broader, since that would employ too much Ground in Walks.

We have already mention'd the bigness the Squares of a Kitchen-Garden ought to con∣sist of, and thus without repeating it, we will find that those two Walks will afford us fine ones, either as to their breadth or length; for the same Rule we prescribe for the dividing of the breadth, must serve for the division of the length, and we must needs be persuaded at all times that when a space of Garden approaches fourscore Fathom

in breadth, and passes them in length, as the great Square of the King's Kitchen Garden does; it really composes a large Kitchen-Garden, since it contains at least seven or eight Acres of Ground, in which case the Squares may have fourteen or fifteen Fathom one way, to eighteen or twenty on the other.

I do not think there is any necessity of inlarging farther in what relates to the Dispo∣sition or Distribution of the Ground of Fruit and Kitchen-Gardens; what we have already said suffices, which is that when one may have or afford variety of such Fruit and Kitchen-Gardens, as Princes or great Lords do, who have occasion for them, it is proper to make little particular Gardens in Places adjacent to the great one, as I have done at Chantilly, at Seaux, at St. Oüen, &c. or round about the great one, as I have done at Versailles; or else the Overplus of the Place we would have Cultivated, must be employ'd in High Standard Trees; for to speak the Truth, over large Kitchen-Gardens are attended with great Inconveniences, and liable to great Charges, which very often do not answer our Expectations for want of due Cares.

CHAP. XX.

Of the manner of Cultivating Fruit-Gardens.

ALthough this Culture taken in the whole, contains all what we have Explain'd in se∣veral particular Treatises, my Intention, notwithstanding, is to reduce it here to Three Things only: First, to the Tillage the Earth stands in need of; Secondly, to the Neatness Gardens require at all times. The remainder of the Culture of the Earth shall be examin'd in the Treatise of the Kitchen-Gardens.

Therefore we must conclude, that as the Earth, as often as it is hot and moist, always finds it self in an approaching disposition to Act, that is, of producing some Plants good or bad, and sometimes of no use for Man, because it can, as it were, never remain Idle, the Production it makes of one thing, must of necessity be prejudicial to another.

The Reason is, First, that the Interior Salt of it; that is, its Fertility, or Capacity of Acting is no wise Infinite, and is exhausted by often producing, as every Body knows: So that several Plants lying near one another, it always happens that all, or a great part of them grow the smaller, because that which was to serve for the Nourishment of all, being divided into many, the share of each must of necessity be the smaller, and the Nourish∣ment of all of them the slenderer, or else it happens that some of them being more lively, either by being grown Naturally, or being of a Temper more suitable to that part of the Earth which nourishes them; this Plant has suck'd a greater quantity of the Nourishment that was in that Place ready prepar'd for Vegetation, than any of the rest.

It is not only the Inside of that Earth which appears exhausted to us in its Productions, when too great a quantity of different Plants have exhausted it by their Roots; we say, be∣sides, that this Earth is dry and wants Moisture, when it is hindred from receiving the Be∣nefit of the Night-Dews, and of those small Show'rs which have the Gift of repairing and amending that Earth, provided they may be able to penetrate to the Internal Parts; thus when the Leaves of all those Plants, which cover the Ground, come to receive those kind of Moistures, they hinder them from descending lower, and so they remain expos'd to the * 1.20 Sun, which rarifying them as soon as it lightens and heats them, converts them into Vapours, and so consequently for that time prevents their being of any use to that Earth.

It follows from thence, that when we would have our Trees, and particularly our Dwarfs and Tall Standards well fed, and consequently very Vigorous, and thereby agreeable to sight, we must take care.

First, That they be not too near one another, to the end that the Nourishment may be the less divided.

Secondly, That there may be no sort of Plants near them, which may inwardly steal their Nourishment, or outwardly hinder the Refreshings and Helps they are certainly to receive by Rain and Dew.

Thirdly, Care must be taken to keep the Earth always light, and consequently often Cul∣tivated, as well that the Moistures of Rains and Dews may easily, and the sooner, penetrate to the Roots, as that the Earth may be duly heated by the Rays of the Sun, which it stands indispensibly in need of.

Now to put that Earth in a Condition of producing advantageously what we require of it, without allowing it time to imploy it self in other Things, as also to preserve clean∣ness in the whole extent, we must be careful to Till the Ground, to amend and cleanse it when it requires it. Let us now examine those four kind of Cultures, to shew the Manner, Use, Cause and Success of them.

CHAP. XXI.

Of Tillage.

TIllage, properly speaking, is nothing but a Movement or Stirring, which being per∣form'd on the Surface of the Ground penetrates unto a certain Depth, and makes the lower and upper parts reciprocally change place: Now it not being my Intention, to speak in this Place of the Tillage that is perform'd with a Plough in the open Fields, but only of the Tillage of our Gardens, it is proper to know that it is perform'd several different ways.

First, With the Spade and Haugh in easie Grounds.

In the Second Place, with a Pitch-Fork, and French Mattock in stony and yet pretty strong Ground; some are perform'd deeper; for Instance, in the open Ground, and in the middle of the Squares or Plats; and others lighter, viz. about the Foot of Trees, upon Asparagus, among small Legumes, &c.

It must be noted next, that in all likelihood the Cause or Motive of Tillage, is not only to make the Earths appear more agreeable to sight, though they really thereby become so; but that it is, in the first place, to render such easie as are not so, or to preserve those in a good Case that are so naturally; and, in the second place, that it is chiefly thereby to augment Fertility in such Earths as have but little, or to preserve it in such as have a suffi∣cient Store: Earths that are absolutely barren, must not be Till'd.

When I talk of rendring Earth easie, I mean to make it become sandy and loose, inso∣much, * 1.21 that the Moisture and Heat which comes from without, may easily penetrate through it, and that it may be no wise compact or sticking together, like clayish, gravelly Earth, which by the Constitution of their Nature, are no wise proper for Vegetation.

And when I speak of endeavouring to give Fruitfulness, I mean, that the Tillage must * 1.22 contribute to give a temper of Heat and Moisture to a Soil, that is already provided with that Salt, it stands in need of for the chief part of Fertility; this temper of Heat and Moisture being so necessary to the Earth, that without it its Salt is altogether useless, inso∣much, that it can produce no manner of Plants, in the same manner as Animals can enjoy no perfect Health, without the temper of Elemental Qualifications.

It is not enough to have given Reasons for the Cause of Tillage, we must besides give * 1.23 Rules, that may serve to procure this Temper in question to Earth.

Upon which, I say, that it is observable, that some Earths are easily heated; for Ex∣ample, such as are light, to which we have but little to do in Relation to heat; but where∣as they are commonly dry and parch'd, we must work carefully to procure them Moi∣sture: Others are not easily heated; for Instance, those that are Strong and Cold; and those require but little Culture for an augmentation of Moisture; on the contrary, they have generally too much of it; but they require a great deal of help for an additional Heat.

Moreover, some kind of Plants require more Moisture; for Example, Artichokes, Sal∣lads, * 1.24 Sorrel and thick Rooted Plants: The Earth which produces them must be dispos'd in such a manner, as to receive a great deal of Water from without: Others are satisfy'd with less, as Fruit-Trees, and Asparagus, &c. and we need not much trouble our selves to afford it them; but however, as we have nothing in our Gardens which requires either an exces∣sive Heat or Moisture, so we have nothing but what requires some. The Sun, Rains and Subterranean Waters provide for one part, and we ought to provide, by other means, for what may be wanting besides; which is, what we do by a well understood Culture, of which Tillage is one of the chief Parts.

Those Tillages are to be perform'd at different Times, and even differently as to the mul∣tiplicity, * 1.25 in respect to the difference of Earth and Seasons: Earth that is hot and dry must be Till'd in the Summer Time, either a little before, or while it Rains, or soon after it, especially when there is any likelihood of more; at which time they can neither be Till'd too often, nor too deep when it Rains; as, by the Reason of Contraries, they must but seldom be Till'd in very hot Weather, unless they be water'd immediately after it. Those

frequent breakings of the Ground make way for the Waters of Rain, and make them pene∣trate * 1.26 towards the Roots, which stand in need thereof; whereas otherwise they would remain upon the Surface, where they would be of no use, and soon after evaporate: Tillage like∣wise makes a passage for heat, without which Moisture can be of no use.

On the contrary, Cold, Strong, Moist Earth, must never be Till'd in time of Rain, but rather during the greatest Heats, at which time they can neither be Till'd too often nor too deep, especially to hinder them from parching and splitting on the Top, which, as we have often said, does a great deal of prejudice to the Roots; and to the End, that it being softned by Tillage, the heat may penetrate the easier to them, and thereby may destroy the Cold, which hinders the Action of the Roots, and makes Trees yellow.

The Nature of the Earth shews us in this, as well as in many other Things, that it will be order'd regularly, so that it answers our Intentions with success, when it is pru∣dently manag'd; whereas, on the contrary, it opposes them when it is govern'd Ill: The Season of putting most Coin into the Ground, which commonly are only sown each in one Season, the time of Graffing, of Pruning and of Planting Vines as well as Trees, &c. which likewise is only done in certain Months; all these, I say, are so many Instructions which Nature gives us, in order to teach us how to study well what the Ground requires, and pre∣cisely at what time. By those Observations, a great Application has taught me, that it is good to Till often about Trees, either in dry, light Earths, or in such as are strong and moist; the one in rainy Weather, and the other in great Heats.

Those frequent Tillings, which I advise, when Convenience will permit it, are of great * 1.27 Use; for, besides their hindring part of the Goodness of the Earth from being exhausted by the Production and Nourishment of ill Plants; they, on the contrary, make those Weeds which Rot, being laid under Ground, serve for an Amendment to fatten it; but moreover those frequent Tilths partly destroy the Ancient Maxims, which had Establish'd but one Tillage for every Season; and what I like most in them is, that, at least, they establish the Necessity, and consequently the Usefulness of them: But I add, that they are not sufficient, unless, during their Intervals, care be taken to scrape, or pull out those ill Weeds, which especially in the Summer and in Autumn, grow upon Earths, and then Mul∣tiply, ad Infinitum, when they are suffer'd to run up to Seed.

We must say here by the by, that the times in which Trees bloslom, and the Vine shoots are very dangerous for Tillage, it must never be performed at those Times, neither about those Trees or Vines; the Earth being newly stir'd in the Spring, exhales abundance of Va∣pours, which upon the least white hoary Frosts, which are common at that Season, being stopt near the Surface of the Earth, stick upon the Blossoms, soften and moisten them, in so much that rendring them susceptible to the Frost, they contribute to kill them; Earths that are not Till'd at that time, and consequently are hard about the Surface, are not sub∣ject to exhale so many Vapors, and therefore not subject to so many Accidents of Frost.

From what I have said heretofore to favour the Nourishment of our Trees, it follows, that I condemn those who Sow or Plant, either many Pot-herhs, or Strawberries, or Flowers, near the Foot of their Trees, such Plants being certainly very prejudicial to them.

The Rule I Practise for the Culture or Tillage, that is to be perform'd about our Trees, as well in the Winter as in the Spring, in dry light Earths, is to allow them a large one at the Entrance of the Winter, and the like as soon as it is past, to the end that the Rains and Snows of the Winter, and the Rains of the Spring, may easily penetrate into our Earth; and as for the strong and moist Earths, I give them a small Tillage in the Month of October, only to remove the Weeds, and tarry to give them a large one at the end of April, or the beginning of May, when the Fruit is absolutely knit, and the great Moistures over; thus the Surface of that Earth being kept hard, firm and close, has left but little passage for the Waters of the Winter and Spring, which we have no occasion here, for the Snow being melted, without having been capable of penetrating, remains part upon the Surface, where it is converted into Vapors, and the rest following the Declivities of the Place, descends into the Neighbouring Rivers.

I must needs say, in this Place, that nothing moistens so much, and penetrates so far as the Water of melted Snow. I have seldom known Water to penetrate above a foot deep, whereas the Water of Snow will penetrate two or three Foot, as well because it is heavier than common Rain Water, as by reason, that as it melts slowly and by degrees, and from the undermost part of the Mass of Snow, it soaks in with more ease, without being hindred by the Wind, or by the heat of the Sun.

Therefore, as much as I dread abundance of Snow upon strong, moist Grounds, and cause it to be remov'd from about our Fruit-Trees; I like it, and cause it to be gather'd in dry Earths, there to make a kind of Magazine of Moisture; and especially in those

Earths I cause that which lyes, and is of no use, in the Walks, to be taken up and thrown into the Bordures of the Espaliers or Wall-Trees, and particularly to the Expositions of the South, which in the Summer time want most moisture; and the same into the Exposures of the East, even in strong Earths, by reason that the Summer Showrs seldom falling up∣on them, the ground of those Expositions remains commonly dryer than the rest, and consequently the Trees are thereby expos'd to suffer.

This Necessity of Tillage, which I recommend and advise, is sometimes contradicted by the success of certain Trees, which being cover'd with Pavement or beaten Gravel about the Foot, do notwithstanding thrive well, though they are never Till'd; to which I have two things to say in answer; the First, That as commonly such Trees are plac'd under Spouts or Gutters, a great deal of Water falls upon them, which penetrating through the Crany's of the Pavement, or through the beaten Gravel, furnishes a sufficient Nourishment for the Roots. The Second is, That the moisture which has thus penetrated into those Grounds * 1.28 cover'd with Pavement, preserves it self much better in it, and longer than in others, the wind and the heat of the Sun not being capable to destroy it: yet notwithstanding, I still recommend Tillage, as well for the good of the Earth and Plants, as for the Pleasure of the Eye; the Universal Experience we have of it, can never be destroy'd by so small an Ob∣jection, no more than the use of Bread and Cloathing can be condemn'd, although the Sa∣vages do not understand it: Fig-Trees Orange-Trees, and other Plans and Shrubs in Cases sufficiently justifie the Use of Tilling, or breaking of the Ground to give a Passage to the Water or Waterings, without which they Pine, and often Perish.

CHAP. XXII.

Of Amendments or Improvements.

AFTER having explain'd the Motive, Use and Manner of Tillage, we must do the same thing about Amendments, which are nothing but a bettering, or re∣covering of Earth; we have already said, that this Improvement might be done with all manner of Dung, of which we must now explain the Motive, Use and Manner.

As to the Motive, it is likewise certain, that when we amend, or Dung the Ground, it is with an Intention of affording Fruitfulness to that which wants it, that is, that which has many defects, and consequently little Disposition towards Production; or else to pre∣serve it when it has it, and might lose it, unless it received from time to time some neces∣sary Reparations, according to the Productions we require of it, either beyond its Ca∣pacity, or conformably to its Power; and likewise to amend it more or less, according to its Temper, whether good or bad: For Example, There must be a great deal of Dung to produce Pot-herbs, which grow in a short time abundantly, and succeed each other quickly in a small compass of Ground, which without that might grow barren; on the other hand, Trees require but little or none for their Nourishment, by reason that being long a-growing, they make but inconsiderable Productions, compar'd to the Ground they take up: and Lastly, Though they remain long in one and the same Place, yet by means of their Roots which stretch out to the right and left, they make a shift to pick up the Nou∣rishment that is proper for them, far and near: I add, that the Earth which has a great deal of Fruitfulness in it self, requires less than that which has but little; and Finally, Cold moist Earth requires more than those that are hot and dry.

Certainly, and no body can be ignorant of it, the great defects of Earth consists, as I have already said, either in too much moisture, which is commonly accompany'd with cold, and great ponderousness, or else in too much drought, which is likewise regularly accompany'd with an excessive lightness, and a great Disposition to parching; We like∣wise find that among the Dungs we may imploy, some are too fat and cooling, for in∣stance, the Dung of Oxen and Cows; and the other too hot and light, for Example, the Dung of Sheep, Horses and Pidgeons, &c. and whereas the Remedy must have Vertues opposite or contrary to the Distempers it is to cure; we must imploy hot and dry Dungs in moist, cold, heavy Earth, in order to heat them, and make them lighter and easier; and Oxen and Cow Dung in lean, dry, light Earths, to make them fatter, and more ma∣terial, thereby hindring the great parchings or droughts of the Spring, and the great heats of the Summer from drying them up with too much ease.

There are at this time great Controversies in Philosophy and Chimistry, to endeavour to decide which are the best Dungs, and that with the same exactness or accuracy Mathe∣maticians use in deciding what is necessary to form a straight Line, &c. The World is certainly highly oblig'd to those Gentlemen, who drive their Curiosity and their Obser∣vations so far into the Secrets of Nature; I hope, we may reap great benefits by it, but in the mean time, I am of Opinion for my self, and for those for whom I write, that we can do no better than to proceed in this as I do, orderly, plainly and grosly, being persuaded that the fertility of Earth does not consist, as, I may say, in an indivisible Point; and indeed I am so far from being willing to occasion the least scruple in any body, and * 1.29 especially any wise to scare or terrifie our Gard'ners in point of Culture, that on the con∣trary I endeavour as much as in me lyes to make it plain and easie to them.

To which end, I think I may say once more, that we may form to our selves a certain Idea of richness in Earth, which certainly contains in its Bowels a Salt which occasions Fer∣tility, and that this Salt is the only and real Treasure of this Earth. Thus we say, That the Money of a Miser (which makes his Riches and Plenty) is the Treasure he possesses; yet this Miser will still remain equally Rich and Pecuniary: If, in the first place, he spends no∣thing, or, if in the second place, whatever Liberality he may affect, it happens so that he constantly receives as much Gold and Silver in one hand, as he spends with the other; he spent yesterday fifty Shillings, to day he has increas'd his Store, either in Gold, Silver, or Goods, to the value of the same Summ; he is then equally Rich, so that to morrow he shall be able to spend the same Summ, and to take up the next day, either the same Money in Bond, which is not common, or the value, &c. and thus, ad Infinitum, this Cir∣culation is real and effective.

We must know for certain, that Earth has been created with a Disposition to produce * 1.30 Plants, and that (excepting some Stones and Mettals which are extraordinary Producti∣ons of Nature) there is nothing on the Earth which is not come out of its own Bosom, and that by the way of Vegetation, and consequently all the Vegetative Plants we see are part of that Earth, and thus we may affirm that there is nothing (whatever it may be, provided it be material) but what may serve to amend that Earth or Soil returning to it by way of Corruption, under whatever Figure it returns to it; because that whatever re∣enters into that Earth, gives it back in some manner what it had lost, either in the same Specie, or in Value, and in effect it becomes Earth again, as it was before; thus all man∣ner of Stuffs, Linnen, the Flesh, Skin, Bones and Nails of Animals, Dirt, Urines, Ex∣crements, the Wood of Trees, their Fruit, their Leaves, Ashes, Straw, all manner of Corn or Grains, &c. In short, all in general that is palpable and sensible on Earth (excepting perhaps as I have already said, most Stones, and all Minerals) all this entring into the Ground, serves to amend and better it, so that having the Convenience and Facility of spreading often upon Earths, as we have it in good Farms, and particularly in the Neigh∣bourhood of Cities, as it is practis'd for the sowing of Corn, and for Legumes, we put our Land in a Condition of being able to continue to produce always without Intermission.

Moreover, our Ground, though good, not being permitted to produce, for Instance, such as are built upon; those Grounds thus cover'd with Buildings, are, though against their Will, like a Rich Man who spends nothing, though able to spend much; they always remain, as the Philosophers say, equally Fertile in Power, that is, equally capable of pro∣ducing, and would actually produce, if they were not hindred from so doing; as to the others which produce at all times, if in Tilling of them, the Plants they had produc'd be again put underneath them, as it happens often, especially in those parts that are the Seat of War; those Plants thus put under the Surface of that Earth rot there, and serve to fatten it again to the same degree it possess'd before the producing of them, or else we may say, that it is the same Salt in Specie, which returns to it, and makes it as Rich, that is, as Fertile as it was before.

And when all the Productions of such a spot of Ground are taken away, as it is very usual, and that in lieu thereof it be allow'd as many of the Productions of another place, and that by means of rotten Straw, season'd, as it were, with the Excrements of some Animals, which Excrements are likewise originally sprung from the Earth, and make a part of it, that Earth having thereby repaired its loss, becomes as Rich, that is, as Fer∣tile as before.

We may then in some manner look upon Dungs in relation to Earth, as a kind of Coin which repairs the Treasures of that Earth.

Now as there are several kind of Coins, some more precious, others less, but still, both the one and the other being Coin'd, pass in Trade and Inrich; so there are several kind of Dungs, some a little better than others, but still all proper to amend, that is, to repair

the loss that Earth had sustained in Producing; and thus the Substance of the Earth does not wear out to be at last reduc'd to nothing, or waste so as to give cause to say, that it diminishes, for if it did, where should it be now, after having produc'd so much from the beginning of the World? 'Tis only the Salt of it that diminishes; or to speak more properly, changes place, which, as it may return, as it does, is capable of restoring that Earth to the same Condition it was in formerly.

The Alambicks in Chimistry sufficiently manifest what that Salt is, and show in little what a small quantity of it is required to animate a pretty considerable quantity of Earth.

Upon which, I think I may say, that Dung seems to be in relation to Earths that are of a different Temper, what Salt is in relation to different kinds of Meat, either such as are fine and curious, as Partridges and Sheep, and such as are material and gross, as Beef and Pork, &c. these without doubt can bear a much larger quantity of Salt in the seasoning of them, without spoiling, than the others, since a good piece of Beef, without doubt, requires a much greater quantity of Salt to relish it, than a piece of Mutton, though equal∣ly large; and indeed gross Meats are made more pallatable by being well poudred, where∣as Mutton being salted at the same rate, would be spoil'd.

Besides, as there are some Salts that salt more, for Instance, Bay-Salt, and others less, as white Salt; so as to the heating, or animating of Earth, there are some Dungs which heat and amend more; for Instance, those of Sheep and Horses, and others that amend and heat less; for Example, The Dung of Hogs and Cows, &c. We must prudently make use both of the one and the other; Experience sufficiently justifies this faculty of heating in point of Dungs, in that a certain quantity of Horse Dung heap'd up together will cause a considerable heat, even to that degree, as to convert it self sometimes into real Fire, whereas a heap of Cow Dung never heats it self to that degree.

And, therefore, should a great deal of Horse and Sheeps Dung be laid in light, sandy * 1.31 Earths, which stand in no need of so much heat, it would prejudice them instead of doing them good; those Dungs are too burning; but according to the Advice of the Poet, we might allow them a great deal of Cows-Dung, which is fatter, and not so hot: And on the contrary, what is not sit for dry, hot Earths, is very proper for such as are cold and moist; those, which naturally produce but too many Weeds, want heat to be animated, as it were, to dispose them, to produce others that are better for us.

CHAP. XXIII.

Of Dungs.

IT will not susfice to have spoken of Amendments or Improvements in General, we must come to Particulars; to which end I think it will be necessary to examin five things, principally in the Case of Dung, which is the most usual of all Amendments.

• The First, What Dung is.
• Secondly, How many kinds there are of it.
• Thirdly, Which is the best of all.
• Fourthly, Which is the proper time to imploy it.
• And, Fifthly, Which is the manner of making so good a Use of it, that Earths may be amended by it, that is, made more Fruitful, which is the Intention of him that uses it.

As to the first Point, I cannot forbear saying, that Dung, being a vulgar thing, and so well known, it seems useless, and almost ridiculous, to endeavour to give an account of it; but yet in order to continue to follow exactly the design I have propos'd in this Treatise, which is not to omit the least singularity of all that belongs to Gard'ning, I think my self oblig'd to speak of this Dung, not indeed to make it known to such as are unacquainted with it, since it would be hard to meet with such, but only to make some Observations upon it, which are very material for the matter in hand.

I say then, that Dung is a Composition of two things, of which, the first is a certain quantity of Straw which has serv'd for Litter for Domestick Animals; and the second, the Excrements of some Animals among it, which has in some manner incorporated with that Straw; neither that Straw alone, though half rotten, is sit to make good Dung; nor yet the Excrements of those Animals without Straw, can be sufficient alone, to induce one to imploy them, they must of Necessity be mix'd together to be of use, which is a thing known by every body.

Neither can any body be ignorant that those who keep those Animals both for Pleasure and Use, have particular Places for them to feed and rest in; which Places have peculiar and diffe∣rent Names; they are call'd Stables for Horses and Mules, &c. And Pens, Stalls and Sties for Oxen, Cows, Sheep and Hogs, &c. Great Hunters have, besides, Kennels for Hounds, but those afford but little of what we treat of in this Chapter. It is usual to place daily under those Animals, and particularly under Horses, a sufficient quantity of fresh New Straw, well spread, which is call'd making of Litter, which is, as it were, a kind of Bed, which serves for them to lye upon, and take their rest, when they are weary, to put themselves again in a Condition to go about their usual Service a-new; this Litter serves then to pre∣serve their Health, to help to recover their Vigor, as well as to keep them neater, and more agreeable to sight.

But that is not all, for after that it must be good for some other thing; this Straw be∣ing thus imploy'd by the Name of Litter, becomes not only bruis'd and broken by the Trampling and Agitation of those Animals, but their Excrements having imbib'd or soak'd it, changes the colour of it, and half rots it, so that it becomes, as it were, of a different Nature from what it was; and being altogether corrupted, and no longer pro∣per to serve for Litter, there is a necessity of removing it, to put new into the room of it, which in its turn must undergo the same Fate.

This first Litter being taken from under those Animals, and laid aside, is not look'd upon as a heap of common Dirt, to be rejected, we give it the name of Dung, now in question; and under that Name, it is found to be, not only a useful, but a very necessary thing for the good of Human kind.

Now that which is the Cause of this new Service it yields, being grown Dung, is, that the Excrements of those Animals have communicated unto it a certain quality, or rather a certain Salt, which being contain'd in it, causes it (being heapt up) to heat it self con∣siderably, and at the same time to heat all that is round about it, as we shall explain more at large hereafter.

After having thus explain'd what Dung is, if it may be truly said that that Explication was not very necessary, at least it must be allow'd, that the other four Articles are very material to be explain'd, beginning by that which is to give us an Account how many sorts of Dung we may use.

It naturally follows from what I have said above, that as there are many Horses every where, there likewise is a great deal of Horse Dung, and a little of Mules, &c. that there * 1.32 is a great deal of Cows, and that Sheep and Hogs afford a small quantity, we may like∣wise say that the Poultry that is kept in some Houses, as Pigions, Hens, Geese, &c. also produce some small manner of Dung, but it is so very inconsiderable, that it is hardly worth mentioning.

The great Animals in question do not alone contribute by their Excrements, to the Composition of Dungs, and the Amendments of the Earth, all the parts of their Bodies being once rotten, nay, their very Nails and Bones serve to fatten it. The Leaves of Trees which are gather'd in Autumn, being put in a moist Place, and especially under the drein of a Stable or Pen, being also rotten, may likewise be of some use in Places where Straw and Animals are not common.

The very Ashes of all combustible Matters are of a very good use in this Case, for the small quantity that can be had of them, and not only Ashes, but also rotten Wood, and generally all things which being come out of the Earth, are corruptible, becomes Dung for the Ground, when put into it again, and there corrupts.

Nay, there are some People, who, in order to multiply the number of Dungs or Amend∣ments, maintain, that Turf, and the Earth of high Ways is proper for it; I will speak my Opinion of it in the Sequel, and will only say in this Place, that that kind of whi∣tish Earth which is met with in the Bowels of some piece of Grounds, which we call Marle, and seems to be inclin'd to become Stones, must be consider'd as an amendment to help towards the Production of some things, as I will explain in the Sequel.

Now we have explain'd the diversity of Dungs, it will be proper to see what are their particular Qualifications, to the end that this knowledge may teach us to make a good * 1.33 Choice according to the occasions we have for it.

There are two peculiar Properties in the Case of Dungs; the one is to fatten, that is, to fatten the Earth, and better it, or render it more fruitful, and that is common to all man∣ner of Dung, being well rotten, only some more, and others less: The second Property is to produce a certain sensible heat, capable of producing some considerable Effect: The Ancients knew the first, and have not known the second; this last is seldom met with in any but Horse and Mule Dung, when newly made, and still a little moist, and indeed those

sort of Dungs are of a wonderful use in our Gardens, and particularly in the Winter; at which time they seem to perform the Office of the great Planet, which animates and en∣live••s all things, really performing there the same Function which the heat of the Sun is us'd to dispense there in the Summer; as for Instance, being laid in the form of Couches, it serves to afford us all the Novelties of the Spring, viz. Cowcumbers, Radishes, small Sallads, and Melons, and all that, long before Nature can give it; it serves in great Frosts to fur∣nish us with Greens and Flowers, and that which is yet more singular, very green Asparagus, and those better than the Common ones; it likewise serves to advance considerably the Maturity of Strawberries, of Figs in Cases, Pease, &c. and finally, it serves to make Mush∣rooms grow at all times.

And if new Dung has a peculiar Goodness and Faculty, when it stands possess'd of its first heat, it has another when, without being Rotten, it is old and dry, the heat being altogether past, which is to preserve against, or from, Cold, that which Frosts might in∣damage and destroy; and therefore it is us'd in the Winter time to cover Fig-Trees, Ar••••∣chokes, Succories, Selery, &c. Which are all Manna's of great Value in Gard'ning, which would perish without the help of Dung to cover them: Which is not all that Dung is useful for; for, after having serv'd in so many Places, as according to the Condition of all Sublunary Beings, it rots at last; it then serves again to the last Use which I treat of here, and that is, to amend the Ground.

This Amendment or Improvement supposes two considerable Conditions, the one rela∣ting to the time which is proper for the doing of it, and the other to the manner of doing it well.

As to the time, we must not imagin that all the Seasons of the Year are proper to em∣ploy * 1.34 Dung, none but the five moistest Months of the Year are good for it, viz. from the beginning of November till towards the end of March; those Dungs would be of no use in the bosom of the Earth, unless they perfectly made an end of rotting there, and nothing but Rain can cause that Consummation; those that are employ'd at other times, only grow dry and musty, and so far from being favourable to Vegetabels, they are pernicious and fatal to them, especially when there is a considerable quantity of it; abundance of large white Worms engendring in it, which remain in the Earth, and gnaw all the tender things they meet with; whereas the great Moistures of Autumn and Winter making an end of rotting by the degrees, the gross material substance of that Dung, the Salt which lyes in it, passes into the interior parts of the Earth; and thus this Salt spreads it self in those Places, whence the Plants draw their Nourishment, that is, in the Neighbourhood of the Roots, which alone have the Tallent of improving the benefit of Dung, and thereby Vege∣tables make an end of acquiring all the Perfection, which is proper for them, as thickness, largness, and the rest, &c.

It follows then, that the Winter is the only Season fit for great Amendments; there∣fore it behoves able Gard'ners, not to lose a time which is so precious for their Occupation: In order to which, they need neither to mind the Quarters of the Moon, nor the Winds, whatever they be, notwithstanding the Traditions of some of the Ancients, and what∣ever may be said in some Books of Gard'ning; they are only troublesom Observations, and altogether Useless, and are only proper to afford Matter towards the Imbellishment of Poetry, or, perhaps, to set off some Visionary talkative Gard'ners.

Let us now proceed to the manner of Employing this Dung to the purpose: This mat∣ter ought to afford us two Instructions; the one is to point out those Parts where the Dung is to be laid, and the second to mark out partly the true quantity.

As to the first, it is to be noted, that sometimes there is a necessity of Dunging largely, and pretty deep into the Ground, and sometimes it suffices to turn the Surface lightly. As to the first, I am not of the Opinion of those who make Beds of their Dung at the Bottom of Trenches, whatever care they take of Tilling every Bed largely, in order to mix the Earth and Dung together, and my Reason, confirm'd by a long Experience, is, that what∣ever is good in that Dung, so employ'd, soon becomes Useless, since it passes too low with the Moistures which force it along, and drive it to such Parts where the Roots cannot pe∣netrate, besides that the Motion which is made in Tilling those Three or Four Beds in the Trenches, instead of contributing to make the Earth lighter; which is one of the * 1.35 most material Conditions, only presses and hardens it by the Trampling, which can∣not be avoided in Tilling.

Therefore, as I have already said elsewhere, I would have the Dung used for Earth, in the same Manner as Ashes are us'd in Washing, that is, that whereas the Ashes are only laid upon the Surface of the Linen, that is heaped up in the Tub, in order to cleanse it; so the Dung should only be laid on the Surface of the Earth that is to be Amended. I say

it again, it is not the gross Substance of the Dung which Fertilises, as it is not the gross Substance of the Ashes which cleanses, it is that invisible Salt which is contain'd in those Matters, Incorporating, wetted with the Waters that wet it, descends with them, whereever their Weight inclines them, and there produces what it is capable of per∣forming.

But it is not sufficient to know the best Place where the Dung is to be laid, we must likewise examine what quantity may be proper for it: In order to explain this Article, it is proper to know that as some Dungs have a far greater quantity of Salt to Communi∣cate than others; so there are Earths which require and want more Amendments than others: I still mean the Earth for Kitchen-Plants, and not that Earth in which Trees are to be Planted; for I will have none for these, supposing always that if they have the least * 1.36 Goodness they have enough to Nourish Trees, from which we expect Pallatable Fruit. He who studies to make Excellent Wine, soon perceives that the use of Dung is directly contrary to his Intention, and that if those Amendments augment the quantity, at the same time it diminishes the Value, though perhaps that defect might have been corrected by Fermentation and Boiling; Therefore have we not yet much more cause to fear for the Taste of Fruits, which, without the Advantages of Boiling, are to be transmitted di∣rectly from the Tree, to the Mouth?

And when the Earth is naught, I can not, as I have already said, forbear blaming those who lose their Time in Planting there, instead of getting better Earth brought there, the quantity cannot be Considerable, nor consequently the Charge, considering that none will go about to Plant many Trees in ill Grounds.

But if, contrary to my Sentiment in this particular Case of Planting of Trees, People will be obstinate in dunging of Trenches, where they intend to Plant, I am willing to Ex∣plain the Manner I think most proper for it, to save Charges, and to have the Work better done and sooner.

I suppose, for Instance, that a Trench six Foot deep is to be prepar'd, either along a Wall to plant against it, or about a Square to plant Dwarfs; First, I would have the quantity of Dung one has Examin'd, either Horse or Cow Dung, which are the two sorts that are most Commonly us'd, and which are most plentiful; this Knowledge will teach us whether we may use a great deal or not: After this I would have it laid in equal distances, all along the Trench that is to be made, and the overture of the Trench dug three Foot deep, and about a Fathom upon the breadth propos'd, so that before we go about to employ the Dung, we may have an empty free Space before us; I would likewise have three Men, two with Spades to stir the Ground, and one with a Pitch-fork for the Dung; and lastly, I would have two of them take that Earth that is to be dug, and throw it at the farther End of the Empty Place; so that the height of the Trench may be fill'd, and that half a Foot higher than the adjacent Surface, taking care to place the Earth that lay on the Surface at the Bottom, to the end that the Earth which lay at the bottom, may in its turn become the Surface of the new Trench; this Earth so thrown, in the manner I mean, makes a natural Declivity, at the bottom of which all the Stones will fall by the same means, which must be remov'd immediately; and while the two Men thus throw the Earth which forms this Declivity, I would have the third, who shall be re∣maining upon the edge of the Trench, to take the Dung with the Pitch-fork, and throw it without Intermission, not into the bottom, but only upon the top of the Declivity in question, and there spread it, that it may be so well dispers'd, that no great quantity of it may lye together; by this means, supposing always the Work-men act briskly, and under∣stand each other, two very material things are done at once, and in a small time, with little Charge; the first is, that the Dung is plac'd and mix'd in the Earth as it should be, and the second, that this Earth being stirr'd from top to bottom, grows easie and light, as it should be.

I must not forget minding those who dig along a Wall, to take care not to come too near the Foundations, for fear of indamaging it, the Wall might be in danger of falling; a small slope of hard Ground must always be left untouched against it.

When besides the Trench for Trees, there are to be others round about all the Squares or Ground Plots destin'd for Kitchen-Plants, in a Garden not having the good Qualificati∣ons that are to be wish'd for, the same Method must of necessity be us'd, multiplying on∣ly the number of those that are to Till, proportioning the number of those that are to spread the Dung accordingly; there must always be the same depth of Earth, ever ma∣king the first overture of the Trenches about a Fathom broad, it being for Example of the length of the whole Square, to which end the Earth that shall be taken out of the Trench, must be laid along the Square that is to be fill'd, which shall serve to fill up

the Gage that shall lay empty at the end of the said Square; in the mean time the Dung must be brought either in Baskets, hand-Barrows, or otherwise, into the Neighbourhood, or near that empty Place; and a sufficient number of People shall be imployed to spread it upon the top of the slopes, by degrees, as the others continually throw new Earth towards the empty Places.

I warrant that with such a concert of Workmen, well skill'd in their Work, the Ground may be dispos'd to produce very fine, and very good Legumes, care being taken finally to make an universal Tillage to render all the Surface even.

I would only have People observe, that in case the Earth which wants to be amended or im∣prov'd, is naturally dry and sandy, fat Dung must be imploy'd, for Example, Cow-dung, or else Horse-dung, which shall have been rotten in a Morish Place; I seldom mention the Dung of Hogs, because, that besides its being scarce, it has an ill savour, which hinders People from desiring it, it is capable of infecting the Ground, and giving it an ill taste, which would infect the Fruit sooner than better it: When they are course, strong, moist Earths, the largest and dryest Dung will be most proper; for Example, Horse and Mules Dung, never putting too much, nor too little, but a moderate quantity, excess being dangerous in these Cases; on the other hand, putting none at all in the Earth in question, is a defect that would soon be perceiv'd; as likewise putting but too small a quantity, is a help, which not being sufficient, must be look'd upon as useless, especially in lean Earths, from which more is requir'd than it is able to produce; that is, abundance of thick well fed Legumes.

The most reasonable measure for imploying of that Dung, is to lay a Basket full, and that of a moderate size, upon the length of every Fathom of slope, when it is about the thickness of a foot of Earth; and thus the length of twenty Fathom to the breadth of six foot, and the depth of three, will consume sixscore Baskets full, of that moderate size, that is, about such a size as a Woman may partly be able to carry.

And when there is not Dung enough to make the mixture I have explain'd here, the small quantity there may be of it must only be spread upon the Surface, spreading it with an even hand; after which Tilling it sufficiently about nine or ten Inches in depth, it must be buried so that it may no longer appear on the out-side, and yet not so deep as to be out of the reach of the Roots of Plants.

The Excrements of Sheep and Goats are very fit for that kind of Dung, and it will suf∣fice to spread about two Inches thick of it, that small quantity will contribute to amend the Earth as much as a greater of Horse or Cow-dung.

And in truth, I look upon Sheeps-dung, as the best of Dungs, and that which has most disposition to fertilize all manner of Earths; the Treatise of the Culture of Orange-Trees will show more particularly how much I value it above all others.

La Poudrette, and the Dung of Pidgeons, and of Poultrey, may also make some amendments, but yet I seldom use them, the one is too stinking, and pretty scarce, the others are full of little Fleas, which sticking to the Plants, are very prejudicial to them.

As for the Excrements of Aquatick Animals, or such as commonly live in Water, it is stark nought, as well as that which comes from Cunny Warrens, witness the Sterility that appears about the Clappers; the rotten Leaves of Plants occasion blackness and cold, which, far from amending, rots the new Plants, and therefore it must not be us'd at all.

The Leaves of Trees gather'd up, and rotten in some moist Ground, become rather a kind of Soil than Dung, and are fitter to be spread to secure the Earth from parching, than to fume the inside of it.

Terreau or Soil is the last Service we receive from Dung, the Dung having serv'd to make Couches, consumes it self to that degree, that it becomes a kind of Mould, which then is no longer employ'd like Dung to fatten, but like Earth which produces small Plants, and so seven or eight Inches of it is laid upon new Beds for Sallads, Raddishes and Legumes that are to be transplanted, or to remain, as Melons, Comcumbers, hard Lettuce, &c. and about two Inches thick of it is likewise laid over Earths new sown at the Spring, and in the Sum∣mer, when they are too dry of themselves, or inclin'd to harden and split easily by heat, the Seeds would dry up in the first, and could not penetrate the Surface of the other.

Therefore this Soil is us'd, which preserving its Moisture occasion'd by Tillage, or Waterings, makes the Seeds rise easily, and shoot with Success; besides, it has another property, which is, to hinder the Birds from picking off the new Seeds.

Ashes of all kinds would be of great use to amend the Earth, if there was enough of it; but whereas we have but little of it, it is only us'd about the Feet of some Fig-Trees, or some other Trees, where they are not useless.

Some People have a particular Value for Turf to make Amendments, but I look upon it in a different Manner, that is, as being fit to produce of it self, and not to Fertilize o∣ther Earth; and I have a great Value yet for the Earth that lies under that Turf which we call new Earth, the which having never been wrought, is consequently full of all the Fer∣tility that can be expected from New Earth, and therefore happy are those who can make whole Gardens of such:

But when People have not a sufficient quantity to compass this, and yet have a reason∣able Stock of it, I would have them employ it either wholly for Fruit-Trees, or, at least, in the same manner as I have caus'd Dungs to be Employ'd for deep Amend∣ments.

CHAP. XXIV.

To know whether it be proper to Dung Trees.

I Cannot approve the Sentiments of those, who being Infected with the Vulgar Error in relation to Dungs, use it indifferently every where, even so far that to make a grand Maxim of it, they say in a pretty popular manner, that, especially in relation to Trees, it is impossible to afford them too much Kindness, which is the soft and sparkish Expression they use in speaking of what we vulgarly call Dung.

But, in order to examin whether their Opinion is any wise reasonable, I desire them to answer five Queries I propose upon that Subject.

• First, Whether they mean all manner of Trees?
• Secondly, Whether only Fruit-Trees?
• Thirdly, Whether, if those Fruit-Trees, they mean all of them in General, to preserve such as are Vigorous and re-establish those that are Infirm?
• Fourthly, Whether they have a certain Rule for the quantity of Dung that is to be al∣low'd to each, and for the place where it is to be laid?
• And Fifthly, Whether they should be Dung'd in all manner of Earths, whether good or bad?

I dare not believe that their Opinion in relation to Dungs, extends to all Trees in General, since every body knows that the Trees, of Forests, those in the open Fields, and those that serve for Avenues to Houses, thrive commonly very well without ever having been Dung'd: In case those Gentlemen allow this to be true, as to Trees that bear no Fruit, they condemn themselves unawares as to Fruit-Trees, since both the one and the other receive their Nourishment in one and the same manner, that is, by their Roots; and indeed those Roots working in a natural Ground, when it is passably good, ne∣ver fail of finding enough of what is necessary for them to live.

But however, in all probability, those Gentlemen only apply the Maxim in question to Fruit-Trees; and yet really I cannot believe, that they dare own that they mean all those Trees in General, since it would be ridiculous to say, that one and the same thing can be equally good; for so many Trees of such different Constitutions, some more or less Vigorous, and others more or less Infirm; some Kernel, and some Stone Fruit, &c. and yet they have never Explain'd themselves upon that difficulty, and have never spoken upon this Matter but in general Terms; in which, as we have already said, they make use of the Sparkish Term of Kindness, to perswade the more agree∣ably.

Neither do I believe, that if they were pressed to declare their Opinion, they would say, that they mean the most Vigorous, since great Vigour appearing inconsistent with the abundance of Fruit, it would be an ill Expedient, in order to get Fruit, to have re∣course to a thing they should believe proper to maintain that Vigour, and perhaps to augment it; moreover Dung being only look'd upon as a Remedy, and Remedies being only us'd for the Diseas'd, it follows from thence, that that Dung is not to be

us'd for those Trees, which, far from being any wise Infirm, have all the Signs imaginable of perfect Health, throughout their whole Extent, supposing then that Dung were capa∣ble of Improving Trees, still I do verily believe, that it would sooner harm these, than procure them the least Advantage.

Therefore we may conclude, that their Opinion is, that Infirm Trees stand in need of the Assistance of Dungs: Now in order, if possible, to disabuse the World of such an Error, I affirm sincerely, that by a study'd Experience of a long Series of Years, I do know with certainty, that all the Dung in the World can operate nothing in Favour of any Tree whatever; I had liv'd long in that Common Error, my Curiosity having begun by that, as well as by the Rote of the Declinings of the Moon, &c. but am now happily undeceiv'd, and all those who will take the Pains to inform themselves of the Truth thereof, without prejudice, will certainly conclude with me, that at best it is but a useless Labour and Expence; besides, I declare that it is a great Happiness when it does not prove prejudicial; those Dungs, as I have hinted elsewhere, being apt to In∣gender Worms which kill the Trees, and at most all the Vertue that is in them, extends no farther than to produce small Roots, which Roots, though really good for small Plants, can no wise contribute towards the forming of those fine Shoots, by which we judge of the Vigour we desire in Trees.

But in order to enter a little farther into the convincing Proof of this Truth, which I establish, I should be glad to be inform'd exactly, what an Infirm Tree is, it is a matter I have enlarg'd upon sufficiently in the Treatise of the Distempers of Trees, &c. therefore I shall now only say, that, for Example, an infirm Pear-Tree, is not always to be concluded so, by reason of its producing Yellow Shoots, since there are some that are very vigorous and yet produce Leaves of that Colour; they are only such upon which some thick old Branches die, or such of which the Extremity of the new Shoots wither, or such as pro∣duce none at all, and remain scabby, full of Cankers and Moss, and yet blossom exceed∣ingly; yet little of the Fruit knits, and that which does knit, remains small, stony and bad: And when the Tree happens to produce large Yellow Shoots, which happens frequently, to some Pear-Trees Graffed upon Quince-Stocks, which being planted in a dry lean Ground are naturally in a good Case, this defect of Yellow Leaves proceeds from that, some of the principal Roots lying level with the Ground, are parch'd by the great Heats of the Summer. Now the Dung which is imploy'd for Amendments, and is consequently put pretty deep into the Ground, can no wise prevent this.

On the other hand, if any of the Branches of that Infirm Tree chance to die, that Defect may proceed from that, either the Tree may be overburthen'd with Branches, compar'd to the small Vigour of it, so as not to be able to Nourish them all, or else from its being planted too high or too low; or lastly, from that the Earth, which is to Nourish it, is either bad or worn out, and especially, when the Foot of the Tree has many dead Roots.

As to the first Case, Dung cannot discharge that Tree from its Burthen: In the Second, it cannot make it to be better Planted: And in the Third, it cannot revive the dead Roots: And Lastly, can produce no thick new ones; for Dungs have never been able to Effect that, neither great Dungs, though never so Rotten, nor the small ones we call Soil. Thus as long as it produces no thick new Roots, we must expect no fine new Shoots; and while none of those kind of new Shoots are produc'd, the Trees will always remain ill-favour'd, and the Fruit will never be well-condition'd in its kind, nor give us Satisfaction by the Abundance of it.

To this I add, that if Dung had the Faculty of rend'ring a weak Tree Vigorous; in the first place I should have Experienc'd it at one time or another, after having try'd it so often; which being, I should be much to blame to dissent from an Opinion so well Establish'd, and to endeavour at the same time to introduce a new Doctrine in the Room of it, which, instead of doing me any Kindness, would only serve to turn me into Ridi∣cule. In the Second place, if Dungs could afford Vigour, especially to old Infirm Trees, that Advantage would certainly be attended by a very great Inconvenience, which is, that it would occasion the Shooting of abundance of False Wood or Suckers, and destroy the Disposition of that Tree towards the producing of Fruit; since, contrary to the Masters In∣tention, it would cause those Buds which were grown round for Fruit to shoot out for Wood, which Wood must of necessity be remov'd as being Ill-condition'd and ill plac'd.

I explain more particularly in another Place, what is most proper to be done in such a Case, and that is at the End of the Fifth Book, where I propose Remedies for the Infir∣mities of old Trees.

But supposing it were good to Dung Trees, which I do not allow, what true Rule can be had for the more or less quantity of Dung each Tree may require: Will a moderate quantity produce the same Effect as a great one, or will not a great quantity perform more than a small or moderate one? Moreover, in what place shall that Dung be plac'd, shall it be near the Stem or Foot, or at a distance from it? It will be useless near the Stem, since the Extremities of the Roots, where all the Action is perform'd, being distant from it, can receive no Benefit by it, and yet it is commonly laid particularly in that place, therefore those Amendments should be plac'd near those Extremities, but how shall one be certain in what part they lay, especially since those Extremities stretching out Year∣ly, consequently Yearly change their place, &c.

I conclude by this Vulgar Observation, That Infirm Trees are met with in good Grounds, as well as in ill ones; will the same Remedy be proper for both? There appears to me a great deal of difficulty to answer those three last Questions justly; so that those certainly engage themselves in a great Confusion, who will have the only Remedy for Fruit-Trees to consist in Dunging, either to preserve their Vigour, or to restore that which they have lost. I find much more Advantage, and less Charge, in using new Earth, than any Dungs, whatever they be: I explain in another place the manner of Employing those new Moulds, which has occasion'd me to say in another place, that one of the chief Conditions, to suc∣ceed in the planting of young Trees, provided they be good, and the Roots well Prun'd, is to plant them in passable good Earth, and such as has never been Dung'd.

CHAP. XXV.

What Sort of Earth is most proper for every kind of Fruit-Trees.

I Conclude this Second Part, after having said that the Wildlings of Pear-Trees and Ap∣ple-Trees, * 1.37 and even those we call Paradice, and likewise Plum-Trees and Fig Trees a∣gree very well with all manner of Earth, whether hot and dry, or cold and moist, pro∣vided the Ground be deep enough, that is, at least two good Foot and a half, or three Foot deep; Fig-Trees do not require near so much.

Quince-Trees do not thrive well in dry light Grounds, they grow yellow too easily; Almond and Stone Peach-Trees thrive better in this than in strong Earth, in which they are too subject to Gumm; those strong Earths are fitter for Plums, Merisiers, or small bitter Cherrys, Goose-berries, Raspberry Bushes, &c. Vines thrive better, and produce better Grapes and better Wine in certain dry Grounds, than in strong and cold Earth; Cherries thrive pretty well in dry light Grounds, but yet better in clear Mould.

After having Explain'd what sort of Earths are best for every kind of Plantations, one might think to draw necessary Consequences for the kinds of Fruits that are Graffed upon those kind of Stocks; for Instance, for Pears Graffed upon free Stocks or Quince; for Peaches upon Plum or Almond-Trees, &c.

But yet, as we shall declare in the Sequel, Earth has not the same Effect as to the good Taste of Fruits, as it has as to the Vigor of Trees. Winter Bon Chrestien Pears, Petitoin, Lansac and Thorn Pears, &c. will always remain insipid, and most of them stony or meally in a cold moist Ground, whether Graffed upon a Wildling or Quince-Stock, espe∣cially for Dwarf-Standards, the same with Peaches and Pavies, &c. Those kind of Fruits do particularly require a pretty dry Ground, or at least such a one as is drein'd well by Gutters, or studied Declivities, the Ground being naturally moist: In fine, gene∣rally speaking Trees are commonly Vigorous in strong Earth, but the Fruit seldom acquires that delicacy of Taste there, it should have, the which they meet with in dryer Grounds.

It is not sufficient to have our Gardens well Cultivated by Tillage and Amendments, besides this, they must be kept very clean, that is, the Walks must always be kept very free from Stones and Weeds, always firm under Foot to walk conveniently and with ease, the Ground likewise clear from Stones and Weeds, the Trees always free from Ca∣terpillars, Snales and Moss, &c. Finally, useful Gardens, should be as pleasing, when old made, as they are displeasing when new, in which particular they differ from Parterres or Flowey Gardens, which are never so neat, or agreeable to sight, as the very day

they have pass'd through the Gard'ners Hands, being then adorn'd with Flowers newly planted, the Walks being newly Gravell'd and very smooth, the Green Turf fresh, &c. In sine, if I may use the Expression, at that time, they are not unlike a new Bride a∣dorn'd with Powder, Patches, Ribbons, Nosegays, &c. to render them the more plea∣sing; whereas our useful Gardens which should in some measure resemble a good House∣wife, must have a natural unaffected cleanness, without any studied constrain'd Adorn∣ments.

The End of the Second Part.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ét vocavit De∣us aridam ter∣ram. Gen. cap. 1. v. 11.
• * 1.2

  Germinet terra herbam viren∣tem, &c. Gen. cap. 1. v. 11.
• * 1.3

  Spinas, & tribu∣los germinabit tibi, &c. Gen. cap. 3. v. 18. In laboribus co∣medes ex ea cun∣ctis diebus vitae tuae. Gen. cap. 3. v. 17.
• * 1.4

  Sponte sua quae se tollunt in lu∣minis aur as, in∣faecunda qui∣dem, sed laeta, & fortia sur∣gunt. Virg. Georg. 2.
• * 1.5

  Loquere terrae, & respondebit tibi, &c. Iob.
• * 1.6

  Nec vero terrae ferre omnes om∣nia possunt. Virg. Georg. 1.
• * 1.7

  Quid faciat l••∣tas segetes, &c. Virg. 1.
• * 1.8

  Optima putri arva solo: id venti curant, ge∣lidaeque pruinae, & labefacta mo∣vens robustus ju∣gera fossor. Georg. 2.
• * 1.9

  Cumulosque ruit male pin∣guts arenae. Georg. 1.
• * 1.10

  At quae pinguis humus, dulcique uligine laeta, quique frequens herbis & fertilis ubere campus. Georg. 2. & paulo post. Hic tibi praeva∣lidas olim, mul∣toque fluentes sufficiet Baccho vites hic fer∣tilis uvae, &c. Georg. 2. Densa, magis Cereri: rarissi∣ma quaeque Lyaeo. Et superlus. Alter a frumen∣tis quoniam fa∣vet, altera Bac∣cho. Ibidem Georg. 2.
• * 1.11

  Sponte sua quae se tollunt in Lu∣minis auras, in∣foecunda qui∣dem; sed laeta, & fortia sur∣gunt, quippe sol•• natura subest. Georg. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.12

  Sape etiam ste∣riles incendere profuit agros. Georg. 1.
• * 1.13

  Nigra fere & presso pinguis sub vomere ter∣ra. Georg. 2.
• * 1.14

  The usual ad∣vantages of ri∣sing Grounds.
• * 1.15

  Triste Lupus stabulis, matu∣ris frugibus im∣bres, arboribus venti, &c. Vir∣gil. buc. Ecl. 3.
• * 1.16

  Aqua nutrix omnium virgul∣torum, & di∣versos singulis usus ministrat, &c. Ex D. Hie∣ronimo.
• * 1.17

  Anima mea, sicut terra sine aqua. Psal. Reg.
• * 1.18

  Optima sterco∣ratio vestigia domini. Ex Pln∣tarch.
• * 1.19

  At sceleratum exquirere frigus difficile est. Georg. 2. Labor omnia vincit improbus, &c. Virg. Georg. 1.
• * 1.20

  Exigua tantum gelidus ros no∣cte reponet. Georg. 2.
• * 1.21

  Et cui putre so∣lum (namque hoc imi tamur a∣rando.) Georg. 2.
• * 1.22

  Optima putri arva solo; id venti curant, ge∣lidaeque pruinae, & labefacta mo∣vens, robustus jugera fossōr. Georg. 2.
• * 1.23

  Prima Ceres ferro mortales vertere terram instituit, cum jam glandes, at∣que arbuta sacrae deficerent silvae, & victum do∣dona negaret. Georg. 1.
• * 1.24

  Cultaque fre∣quenti in quas∣cumque voces artes, haud tar∣da sequentur. Georg. 2.
• * 1.25

  Omne quot an∣nis terque qua∣ter{que} solum scin∣dendum, gl••ba∣que versis. Ae∣ternum ••rangen∣da bidentibus. Georg. 2.
• * 1.26

  Et caeca relaxat spiran enta, no∣vas veniat qua, succus in herbas. Georg. 1.
• * 1.27

  〈…〉〈…〉cetque fre∣〈…〉〈…〉llqrem, 〈…〉〈…〉perat 〈…〉〈…〉g. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.28

  Rapidive poten∣tia solis ac••••or, aut boreae pene∣trabile frigus adurat. Georg. 1.
• * 1.29

  Fundit humo facilem victum justissima tel∣〈◊〉〈◊〉. George. 2.
• * 1.30

  Germinet terra herbam viten∣tem, &c. Ge∣nese.
• * 1.31

  Arida tantum ne saturare fi∣mo pingui pude∣at sola, &c. Georg. 1. Humida majo∣res herbas alit, ipsaque justo lae∣tior, Georg. 2.
• * 1.32

  The variety of Dungs.
• * 1.33

  The choice of Dung.
• * 1.34

  Proper times to turn Earth.
• * 1.35

  Et cui putre solum. Georg. 2.
• * 1.36

  No Dung for Trees.
• * 1.37

  Et quid quaeque fer at regio, & quid quaeque re∣cuset, &c. Georg. 1.