264 PEACTICAL FLOBICTJLTTTRE. 



a character as would serve the purpose, and hence in nearly 

 every case it is necessary to prepare the materials for the 

 " border." The usual rule laid down is to take of the top 

 spit (or spade's depth), from an old pasture, as the main 

 material of the border say three parts ; lime rubbish, 

 charcoal, scrapings from a paved street, or oyster shells 

 broken up one part ; rotted stable manure one part, with 

 perhaps one ton of crushed bones added to every twenty 

 tons of this border compost. Something depends upon 

 the soil of the pasture from which the top spit is taken ; 

 if it is a heavy adhesive loam more in proportion of the 

 lime rubbish or street scrapings should be added, as it is 

 all important that when the organic substances of the 

 manure or fibre of the sod are rotted away, that the 

 material forming the border should not become sodden or 

 solid, so that it would be retentive of water and im- 

 pervious to air. For this reason, when choice can be 

 made, the pasture from which this turfy top spit is taken 

 should be of a shaly or calcareous character. If the whole 

 material for the border can be prepared a year before 

 using so much the better ; let it be repeatedly turned so 

 as to mix the different ingredients thoroughly. This is 

 not indispensable, however, as we have often used them 

 fresh with nearly as good results. 



THE EXCAVATIOK FOE THE BOBDEE 



should be made from 20 to 24 inches deep, and of the 

 width of the grapery itself; and if the house is a " lean- 

 to," 15 or 20 feet outside. For a span roof make it the 

 same distance on each side outside. Above everything it is 

 indispensable that this excavation be thoroughly drained 

 it should be formed so that the bottom slopes about 1 

 foot in 20 to the outside of the border, and there a drain 

 should be placed of sufficient capacity as to quickly carry 

 off all surplus from the rains that may fall on the border. 

 Perhaps the safest and simplest plan to prevent the roots 



