CHAPTER II 

 PREPARATION OF THE GROUND 



GENERALLY speaking, the materials with 

 which roadways are made are not only un- 

 suitable for tree cultivation, but positively 

 destructive to vegetation of almost every 

 description. This also applies to our squares, 

 terraces, and open grounds around houses, 

 the soil of which is little other than refuse 

 building materials, and mainly composed of 

 broken bricks and stones, gravel, old mortar, 

 iron, wood, and shavings. In such a medium 

 it is perfectly useless to look for that healthy 

 and vigorous growth which is so essential 

 in street trees, that are still further handi- 

 capped by having to do battle above ground 

 with the impurities of a town atmosphere. 

 Having for a number of years had to 



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