16 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



Where the land is a good, friable loam, turning up the 

 soil to sweeten a month or two before planting is still 

 advisable ; but such land is generally rich enough without 

 extra manure, which, if used at planting, often leads to 

 excessively sappy growth, canker, and unfruitfulness. 



In sandy ground which is deficient in vegetable humus, 

 it is advisable to add some well-rotted manure, such as 

 may be got from an old hotbed ; and if very hot and 

 dry, the addition of clay and porous stones, which will 

 store moisture for the roots in summer, is to be recom- 

 mended. 



In stony land, a hole, 3 feet over and 2 feet deep, 

 should be made, and if the soil is at all brashy or hassocky, 

 fresh loam should be used in planting. 



Soils intermediate between the above can be treated 

 similarly, but none should be over-manured. 



In wet soils or after heavy rains it is not advisable 

 to dig out the holes for trees before they arrive, as they 

 will often become full of water, but on light soils it saves 

 time and allows trees to be quickly placed when the holes 

 are prepared beforehand. 



Apples grow late in the season, and they do not often 

 shed their leaves until the middle of November, but Pears 

 are earlier. After years of experience, we are forced to 

 the conclusion that, when the land is in good condition 

 and not too wet, planting can be done from November 10 

 to March 15 with perfect safety ; but it should not be 

 carried on during frosty weather. 



It is very bad practice to plant too deeply, but it is 

 important that Apples on the Paradise and Pears on the 

 Quince stock should have the junction of the stock and 



