18 TOWN PLANTING 



dition of a small quantity of leaf soil to the 

 loam is highly beneficial to the growth of 

 trees by retaining dampness and encouraging 

 root spread. The newly added soil should 

 be firmly trampled in the pit before planting 

 is engaged in. Sometimes, where the ori- 

 ginal soil is not of too inferior quality, a 

 small proportion has been mixed amongst the 

 loam and leaf soil, but, speaking generally, 

 this course cannot be adopted. 



In squares and gardens where shrub- 

 planting is to be engaged in, a general reno- 

 vation of the soil is also imperative, and this 

 can best be done by thoroughly trenching 

 the soil to a depth of, say, 4 ft. and adding 

 a large proportion of fresh loam or other 

 soil. Deep trenching and thoroughly break- 

 ing up and loosening the soil is a most impor- 

 tant factor in town planting, and should never 

 be neglected. Manure is sometimes added 

 to the soil, but it is objectionable from several 

 points of view, and, if used at all, should 

 be thoroughly decomposed and incorporated 

 in small quantity. Good loam and leaf soil 



