PREPARATION OF THE GROUND 19 



is infinitely preferable, and, where necessary, 

 sandy soil makes a good addition. A little 

 fresh lime added to the soil has been found 

 most beneficial in town planting, and in old 

 and exhausted borders, where the soil has 

 become tainted with chemical impurities, the 

 value of lime or chalk as a cleansing agent is 

 not sufficiently appreciated. Of course, where 

 so-called American shrubs are to be planted 

 which is, however, rare in London neither 

 chalk nor lime should be added to the soil. 

 This question of soil is so important that no 

 one planting street trees or shrubs can afTord 

 to ignore it, and while the extra cost in pro- 

 viding such is but little, the advantages 

 gained are great. 



