Chapter TWO 



IN every garden the matter of soil is of first im- 

 portance. In case of an outdoor garden the 

 existing conditions will largely determine the 

 class of plants to be grown. 

 A good loam that is a non-coherent mixt- 

 ure of clay and sand with a proportion of such de- 

 cayed vegetable matter as leaves and the fibrous roots 

 of grasses is the best garden soil, being what is 

 termed warm and early. Soil containing a good pro- 

 portion of sand is warm, while a preponderance of 

 clay makes what is known as cold or wet soil. 



If there is good drainage, cold soil can be rendered 

 lighter, sandier and more friable by the liberal applica- 

 tion of manure, which in two or three years will quite 

 change its character. But this is a long time to wait, 

 and to get quick results it will be necessary, after lay- 

 ing out the garden and outlining the beds, to remove 

 the earth to a depth of twenty inches or more, filling 

 in with soil suitable for the class of plants to be grown 

 in each bed. In the beds intended for Roses, however, 

 the clay may be left, as Roses require this soil. Where 



17 



