THE HOME NURSERY 173 



The worst kinds of soil, in a general way, are probably 

 peat, dry sand, thin gravel, and wet, stiff clay. All these 

 should be carefully avoided, unless the object is to grow a 

 particular class of plant, such as rhododendrons, Scots fir, 

 oak, or hornbeam. It must be recollected, of course, that all 

 soils can be modified to a great extent by the addition of 

 composts, leaf-mould, road edgings, etc., and, when no chance 

 is left but to select an unsuitable soil, these means of improve- 

 ment may be adopted. Well-rotted leaf-mould is an excellent 

 dressing for both light and heavy soils, and if liquid manure 

 is plentiful, and can be applied to a large heap of it now and 

 again when rotting, nothing better could be applied to poor 

 hungry soils, and either dug in or used as a top dressing after 

 the trees are bedded out. 



The situation of a home nursery is, to some extent, a 

 matter of necessity. It should of course always be near the 

 forester's house, for the sake of constant and convenient super- 

 vision, and it is also desirable to have it in as central a 

 position as possible. It should occupy gently sloping, rather 

 than flat ground, and should never be placed in hollows or 

 low bottoms, on account of late and early frosts. A situation 

 well sheltered from east winds by rising ground or belts of 

 trees is also desirable for reasons already stated. 



LAYING OUT A HOME NUKSERY. 



The shape which a nursery should be given, when no re- 

 strictions exist, should be that of an oblong, with its longer 

 sides in the direction of the most favourable aspects. When 

 of this shape the beds can be arranged so that horse labour 

 can be employed in ploughing, cleaning, and cultivating the 

 root or other crops grown for rotation purposes ; and this is a 

 great advantage when the expense of that work is considered. 

 A hard road or drive should run through the centre, on either 

 side of which ornamental or specimen trees may be grown if 

 desired, while round the edges a broad grass margin may be 

 maintained for turning horses when at plough, and thus 

 avoiding headlands. The width of the beds may be from 

 20 to 40 yards, as these limits enable the line to be conven- 



