250 



THE BEGINNER'S GARDEN BOOK 



When this has been done, the soil is warmer, and the plants 

 can root deeper. Then when a drought comes, the deep 

 roots, boring for water, can well supply their plants, while 

 shallow-rooted plants are not prepared for the sudden loss of 

 their supply. 



Once the soil is drained (and mind you, most soils have a 

 subsoil that does the work already), the loam is to be dug. 



FIG. 138. FIG. 139. 



In undrained land (Fig. 138) the roots are shallow. In drained land 

 (Fig. 139) they are deep. Explain the reason, and the advantage. 



It is true that for a garden that is to last for a number of 

 years, the soil ought to be trenched. In the back of the 

 book I explain a good method of trenching, which can be 

 practiced by any one with success. But it is hard and costly 

 work, and most of us avoid it. 



Ordinary digging, or spading, which comes next, should be 

 properly and carefully done. A large garden is usually 

 plowed. A small garden, however, must be spaded, and in 

 most parts of the old world people still spade all their 

 gardens. In fact, it is usually a better method than plowing. 



