SOILS. 15 



whatever the depth of the natural soil lacks of 

 twenty-four inches, is to be supplied by forcing, that 

 is, carrying in soil from the adjacent fields ; for it 

 is not advisable to trench up and mix much of the 

 sub-soil (of whatever texture it be) with it. In- 

 deed, in many cases, gardens are almost ruined by 

 the injudicious admixture of the subsoil with the 

 surface-mould. The method is this : 



To take three crops off the first surface, and then 

 trench three spit deep, by which the bottom and top 

 are reversed, and the middle remains in the middle. 

 Take three crops off this surface, and then trench 

 two spit; by which the top becomes the middle, 

 and the middle the top. And take also three crops 

 off this surface, and then trench three spit ; where- 

 by, that which was last the middle, and now top, 

 becomes the bottom ; and that which is now the 

 bottom, and was the surface at first, now becomes 

 surface again, after having rested six years. Pro- 

 ceed in this manner alternately : the one time 

 trenching two spit deep, and the other three ; by 

 which means the surface will always be changed, 

 and will rest six years, and produce three. 



Hence there will always be new soil* in the gar- 

 den for the production of wholesome vegetables ; 

 and hence also will much less manure be required, 

 than when the soil is shallow, and the same surface 

 constantly in crop. 



* I presume the appellation is consistent with the idea we 

 have of New Soil, as certainly in reality there is no such thing ; 

 but, by this process, it will be in a great measure renovated. 



