INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 13 



when the ground is required for almost immediate sowing or 

 planting, and an even surface preserved. Then, having dug 

 to the other end of the piece, the earth taken out of the first 

 trench is used to fill up the last opening. 



Where the ground is of a greater depth, the subsoil being of 

 good calibre or capable of improvement, and the cultivation 

 of deep-rooting subjects is in view, the soil should receive a 

 thorough breaking-up in its lower depths as well as the layer 

 nearer the surface. Despite what I have said concerning 

 digging shallow soils, the under strata of which would be useless 

 on the surface, there is every reason for attacking and pulverizing 

 this hard, chalky, rocky, or clayey mass, as the case may be, 

 through which no root can penetrate or derive much benefit. 

 One strong argument in favour of breaking up such subsoils 

 is that drainage is effected thereby ; another is a welcome 

 addition to the depth of the earth which in time would be 

 afforded. 



The nature and composition of the ground determines its 

 treatment. Heavy or "strong" soils, which are naturally 

 of a clayey nature, may be greatly benefited by 

 Manipulation being manured and roughly laid up in ridges 

 of the early in the autumn ; if, however, there is a 



Different very great percentage of clay in the soil, an 



Textures early exposure to frosts may cause the soil to 



partake of the nature of plaster, and thus be very 

 difficult to work for some time. However, repeated dressings 

 of road scrapings, sand, ashes, burnt soil, decayed garden 

 rubbish (with which lime should be mixed), and similar opening 

 material, well mixed, when opportunity presents itself, with 

 the clay, will gradually convert the plastic mass into a more 

 easily- worked soil. These materials should be collected all the 

 year round, placed upon any piece of ground which becomes 

 vacant, or requires digging, and dug in with a fork. Ground 

 that has been ridged in autumn should be levelled when the 

 soil appears in workable condition ; this will be during frosty 

 weather, especially immediately after a severe frost just before 

 a decided thaw sets in, for the soil will then crumble readily. 

 Besides, when thus levelled, the drying winds and frosts of 

 early spring will bring about by their influence that fine surface 

 which is so necessary for sowing seeds. In some soils and 

 situations, however, the state of the ground is inclined to become 

 very cold and sodden, and difficult to form into ridges ; and the 

 procedure in such instance is to fork or prise up the soil in rough 



