The garden is cultivated in the Scotch manner, with flowers in the borders to the walks, and crops on the wall borders; two things ruinous to all expectations of abundant crops of fruit. Whenever we have represented this practice as no longer followed in the best gardens in England, and in many in Scotland, the question has been put to us, How shall we get our early crops of peas, potatoes, cauliflowers, &c. ? The usual answer which we make to this question is that supplied by Mr. Errington, one of the most scientific and experienced practical gardeners in England, viz. that there is not an early crop of vegetable which could not be obtained within one week of those on a wall border, by making in the compartments artificial slopes to the south, and by careful protection. (See our volume for 1836, p. 129.) We believe, however, that the mode of cropping at Garscube and many other places is followed, because, being that of the country generally, if another mode were to be adopted, and a failure to be the result, the gardener would probably lose his situation. The masters and mistresses, therefore, must be enlightened on this subject, before much can be expected from their gardeners. We should like much to stimulate masters to enquiries of this kind.
