0n utlfne of tfjc g&artren. 47 



nure in sufficient quantity to render the soil free 

 and elastic. Sandy soils should be treated with 

 plenty of strong garden-loam, leaf-mold, and an 

 abundance of old manure. It may be observed, 

 in this connection, that a leaf-mold and compost- 

 heap should form a part of the reserve garden. 

 When leaf-mold is desired, it is often difficult 

 and expensive to procure. The rakings of old 

 leaves in autumn, and the leaves used for winter 

 protection, left in a heap to decompose, will usu- 

 ally suffice to keep up a sufficient supply. Prop- 

 er drainage secured, the flower-border should be 

 composed of surface-soil to the depth of at least 

 two feet. This will insure the roots a supply of 

 moisture far below the surface. Treated thus 

 at the beginning, the foundation will be perma- 

 nent ; and, beyond sometimes forking in an au- 

 tumnal top-dressing, we have done with the 

 question of soil. I am aware that it is often the 

 custom in England, where climate and skill pro- 

 duce the highest results, to retrench and replant 

 the flower-border every three or four years. 

 This involves much labor, and disturbs number- 

 less plants which do not like removal. It is far 

 easier and better to separately lift or divide such 

 plants as may have exhausted the soil, replant- 

 ing them in fresh earth. 



No plan of gardening involving an expensive 



