PREPARING THE SOIL 



253 



the same time the trench moves backward, until the strip is 

 finished. At the end of this bit of work there is a little narrow 

 trench at one end ; and at the other, where I began, there is 

 a little ridge. But with cultivation both of these soon dis- 



Fig. 141. — Keeping the trench open. 



spading. 



This is the best method of 



appear. I then go back to the starting place and begin my 

 second strip, taking pains, as old gardeners say, to "keep the 

 trench open." 



The advantages of this method are very plain. With 

 an open trench one very soon sees if the spading is deep 

 enough. The soil is not merely lifted and dropped, a method 

 which can become very slovenly, so that many lumps are left 

 covered and unbroken ; it is moved to another spot, the face 



