Gardening in California 



a line, which line will thus run across the ground at a distance of 

 three feet from the line of the first trench. Remove the top soil 

 to the depth of one foot from this strip, and place that top soil to 

 the depth of one foot above the manure in Trench No. i . Stir sub- 

 soil of Trench No. 2, and, on top of that, place a layer of manure, 

 as instructed for Trench No. i. Then establish the line for 

 Trench No. 3, in the same manner as for Trench No. 2, with the 

 top soil of which (Trench No. 3) Trench No. 2 will be com- 

 pleted, and so on trench after trench all over the ground, the sur- 

 face soil taken from the first opening, which had been wheeled to 

 the far end of the ground, being found sufficient in quantity for 

 filling on top of the manure of the last trench, thus leaving the 

 ground level or even, and in the same shape as it was before the 

 work of trenching began. 



Should the natural soil be composed of stiff clay, a layer of 

 light sandy soil or pure sand, or a heavy application of half- 

 decomposed stable-manure mixed freely with the soil, or, more 

 especially, a compost made of all three will greatly improve it. 



Where the soil is of an adhesive nature, or the subsoil within 

 three feet of the surface is of stiff clay, drainage should be 

 resorted to, as, no matter how well the soil may be cultivated 

 or how heavily it may be manured, good results will be impos- 

 sible if the soil is water-logged. Drains should be put in about 

 fifteen feet apart and three feet deep with a fall of not less than 

 six inches in one hundred feet. Of course where water passes 

 freely through the soil and does not lie stagnant in the subsoil, 

 the putting in of drains will be unnecessary. This may be readily 

 found out by digging a hole with the spade after heavy rains and 

 observing whether the hole holds water any length of time. 

 Should the water percolate freely through the soil, no draining 

 will be required, but should the water remain in the hole for 

 weeks, it would be well to have the ground thoroughly drained 

 as directed. Tile draining is much the best and most lasting 

 method, but, when tiles cannot be had, a foot of rough rock placed 



[38] 



