THE ELOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 271 



cumstanees, trenching should precede planting at least several 

 weeks, if possible. The soil then becomes settled, and, from the 

 action of the weather, well pulverized, and will be, in fact, in an 

 excellent condition to receive plants. The difference in the success 

 of shrubs planted in a nicely pulverized and otherwise well pre- 

 pared soil, and in one newly trenched, stiff, and full of unbroken 

 clods, is very great. In soils which require preparation, much of 

 the success of the shrubs to be planted in it will depend on its 

 being timely and efficiently performed. 



Two years ago I made plans for a new garden in the neighbour- 

 hood of London ; the proprietor of the ground superintended their 

 execution, and, with the exception of a preliminary visit at the com- 

 mencement of the work, I did not see the gardens until the ensuing 

 spring, when I was consulted as to the cause of the most general 

 failure of the shrubs. This was at once evident. The soil was very 

 stiff — clay, in fact ; and as it was trenched in the autumn and 

 winter, and the plants immediately placed in it, it is easily imagined 

 what kind of medium the roots enjoyed. The soil was, in fact, but 

 a collection of lumps of clay with nothing to fill the interstices ; 

 nevertheless, attempts had been made at planting — it would be 

 libellous to say that it was really performed. The winds of March, 

 assisted by the sun, had converted the lumps of clay into brick, and 

 robbed the ill-covered roots of every particle of moisture ; the plants 

 were, of course, dead or dying, and no art could save them then. In 

 this case, an early preparation of the soil was not only advisable but 

 imperative, if anything like success with the shrubs was to be hoped 

 for. Such a soil should be broken up a year before planting, and 

 well worked at intervals to bring it into a proper condition. All 

 soils will yield to well-directed labour ; the end to be attained is 

 merely a question of time, labour, and expense. Those who are 

 unfortunate enough to have an unfavourable soil to deal with, must 

 incur all that if the best results are to be obtained. I have urged 

 early attention to the preparation of the soil for planting, and I 

 repeat it, because I am convinced of its importance. I could give 

 many examples, not only of great inconvenience arising from a 

 retardation in the progress of works, but of the waste of much time 

 and money, resulting solely from an indifference to, or a total dis- 

 regard of, such council. Half the failures in planting arise directly 

 or indirectly from procrastination in this respect, and I shall have 

 effected good service if fortunate enough to convince any apathetic 

 reader of the fact. 



In very stiff soils, where the spaces for the shrubberies, as well 

 as those for the smaller clumps, only are trenches, something beyond 

 the general drains (which will, of course, be laid down before any 

 other work is commenced) will be required, if, as will often be the 

 case, no general drain passes through them. Such spaces, from the 

 compactness of the unbroken soil around, become reservoirs for 

 water unless some means of escape is provided for it. This should 

 always be given. An auxiliary drain entering a contiguous one is 

 easily added, and will be found an effectual remedy. I have seen 

 the worst effects result from non-attention to this. The bed eo 



September. 



