Propagation of Plants 93 



one of the best conditions, though it is harder to work; but it 

 will need less fertilizing, will retain moisture and keep fertile 

 longer than any other. This is a favorable condition for roses. 

 The basis of all gardens should be loam, with a bottom layer 

 of turf turned root side up, and other ingredients spread over 

 the whole area; or, a still better way would be to make a rich 

 general compost of one half loam mixed with leaf mold, sand, 

 ashes, well rotted manure in moderate quantity. When this 

 is well distributed, and dug in, special conditions may be 

 created where they are needed. In setting out roses more 

 manure and a little clay may be added directly to the soil 

 where they are planted. For plants that thrive in sandy soil, 

 a considerable quantity of sharp sand may be given. Others 

 require leaf mold to excess, and this may be given. In short 

 every plant, according to its need, may be provided with its 

 own peculiar nutriment. It is also well to have a small pile of 

 general compost to which has been added an equal amount of 

 well rotted cow or horse manure, and let it stand a whole year 

 or longer, stirring it from time to time until it is perfectly in- 

 corporated. After a year or two this may be used on lilies and 

 gladioli, neither of which will survive if placed in direct con- 

 tact with fresh manure, yet require a highly enriched soil. If 

 you have a clay soil your difficulty will be greatly increased, for 

 it hardens and cakes badly, and you must at any cost add a 

 quantity of sharp sand to lighten it. Manuring will not do it, 

 and sand is a necessity. I carefully save the coarse mulch and 

 leaves removed from the garden in early spring, adding to 

 them all the fresh refuse of plants, as they 'are trimmed after 

 flowering, and upon this pile I place a little manure and com- 

 mon loam. By autumn the bottom of it is resolved into a 

 finely pulverized soil that makes an ideal fertilizer for plants 

 when they are reset and prepared for winter. With a good 

 general compost basis to which other ingredients, previously 



