PLANTING AND MANURING 



BEFORE planting operations are taken in hand, the beds 

 should first be thoroughly prepared, and made ready 

 for the reception of the trees. As with everything else 

 connected with the management of a garden, a good 

 beginning, followed by careful attention and proper 

 treatment, generally means a successful result. Although 

 the yew is a gross feeding tree, it will thrive fairly 

 well in almost any poor soil ; but it is advisable only to 

 plant in a soil of a nature that will, as far as possible, 

 suit the requirements of the various trees it is intended 

 to carry. Everything that can be done at this period to 

 ensure the future success of the garden should be care- 

 fully attended to. 



It must be borne in mind that a Topiary garden when 

 completed will in all probability endure for an indefinite 

 length of time perhaps for hundreds of years. Any 

 extra labour or expense devoted to the work of initiation 

 will, therefore, be fully repaid in the future. 



If the land that has been selected for the garden is 

 composed of loam of a rich, mellow nature, all that is 

 necessary will be to trench the ground two or three 

 " spits " deep. If the soil is of a limestone composition 

 it will be to the advantage of the yew trees, as these 

 seem to grow well and vigorously in a soil of this kind. 

 But if, on the other hand, the soil be of a poor, hungry 

 nature, it will be advisable to remove it altogether, to 

 the depth of two or three feet, replacing it with good 

 loam of a more suitable character. 



Nothing will answer this purpose better than the top 



