THE SCOTS GARDENER 



face of them is best, because prepared by the in- 

 fluence of the sun and showers. 



That called a loam or light brick earth, is the most 

 natural ground for gardens and plantations; strong 

 blue, white, or reid clayes are worst. But the nearer 

 they are to a mixture of loam, or if they have stones 

 naturally in them, they are the better : also the 

 nearer gravelly or sandy grounds incline to loam, 

 so much the better. Therefore if your ground be 

 stiff, trench with ferns, straw, bean-ham, thatch, 

 litter, earth under wood-stacks, small sticks, &c. 

 If gravelly or sandy, then trench and mix with loam 

 or the upper part of clay ; the turf of both is good. 



If strong clay, trench and mix with fat sand, high- 

 way earth that hath drift-sand in it, rubbish of 

 buildings, lime-rubbish, gravel, &c. And if it be 

 for gardens or orchards, enrich it with manures 

 mixt with drift-sand, or light mould heaped up 

 stratum super stratum, i.e. laying by laying. And 

 if the ground be cold, the more pigeons and poul trie- 

 manure you put upon it, the lighter and warmer 

 it will be. Or make stratums of earth, manure, and 

 unslaked lime-stones to ly a year, and then apply 

 this composition, which has been hitherto a great 

 secret : therefore prize it. 



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