THE CARNATION. 19 



of rich loam or maiden earth to serve them two or 

 three years, which, by being turned occasionally, will 

 become pulverised and fit for use at all times and for 

 all purposes. What you obtain from any waste or 

 common,, should consist, in the language of a labour- 

 ing man, of the top spit and crumbs only, to be piled 

 up with the turf downwards. The common test 

 whereby to judge of a rich soil is, that when fresh 

 dug up it shall emit a pleasant smell, and not stick 

 to the fingers in handling, but when compressed and 

 rubbed between the thumb and fingers, will feel soft 

 and oily. Another opinion of its goodness may also 

 be formed this way; that is, where you see trees 

 grow freely, or rich and luxuriant crops of corn or 

 grass appear, you may take it for granted that the 

 soil they grow in is good. That in which you per- 

 ceive veins of rust or oxide of iron, called by farmers 

 till or fox-bent, ought to be avoided, or at least it 

 ought not to be used till after it has lain some time, 

 been repeatedly turned, and exposed to all the action 

 of the weather rain, sun, and air. 



After having made choice of your soil, the next 



