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GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



previously treated, is to do so in such a way that the lower or 

 subsoil is not brought to the surface. This is described as 

 half or bastard trenching. Were the lower sour soils brought 

 to the surface at once crops would fail or growth be very poor 

 in consequence. For that reason the cultivator not only leaves 

 these subsoils where found for some time, but as they become 

 sweet and fertile gradually mixes or incorporates them with 

 the upper good soil, so that in time the entire worked depth 

 is sweet and productive. After several years of such treatment 

 trenching may take a complete form, the lower soil being 



FIG. 24. 



A surface example of how to trench a plot of ground. Open a trench 2 feet wide at the 

 left-hand end of one-half, as shown at A, placing the soil at B. Then trench the 

 whole strip as marked, returning on the other half, D. Finish where soil, B, from 

 the first trench has been placed for the purpose of filling. 



brought to the surface and the top soil buried low down, but 

 being in its turn brought up again some three years later. 



In Half Trenching a plot of ground , if broad, the operator 

 must start by dividing it into two equal portions, running a 

 mark down the centre to form a division, then throwing 

 out at one end of one of the halves as shown at A the whole 

 of the top soil down to a depth of twelve inches and width of 

 twenty-four inches on to the adjoining soil B. With a strong 

 fork thoroughly break up the bottom soil at A fully twelve 

 inches deep, and leave it there. It is an admirable plan 

 when manure is at hand to cast in on to this broken bottom 

 a liberal dressing and refork that into the soil. Then from 

 the next width of two feet C throw on to the first trench A 

 the whole top soil, twelve inches deep, and the first trench is 



