CHAPTER ILL, 
PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 
In order to obtain good fruit and vegetables in abundance, 
it is not only necessary to sow good seed and plant good trees 
of sterling varieties upon fertile soil, but that soil must be in 
a suitable condition for the reception of the seed and trees. 
In other words, the soil must be well and deeply dug, 
pulverised, and aerated. There are three methods of working 
the soil: By ploughing, digging (with spade or fork), and 
trenching. When the plough is used constantly upon the 
same ground we have shallow cultivation, and a ‘‘sole” or 
“‘pan’' is formed; this ‘‘ sole” or ‘‘ pan” being harder and 
less pervious to moisture from above or below than the 
surrounding soil, the surplus water cannot pass freely away 
in time of excess of rain, neither can the moisture from below 
pass freely upward in time of drought; therefore, as a 
consequence, the roots of plants growing under such condi- 
tions will always be liable to suffer from an excess or a 
deficiency of moisture. Under ordinary spade culture the 
conditions of moisture will be more uniform and favourable 
to plant growth, but not so favourable as where the soil is 
systematically trenched. In addition, the plants have a 
larger larder and a larger supply of food, and the crops of 
flowers, fruit and vegetables will be increased correspondingly 
to reward the cultivator for his labour. By trenching we 
provide the deepest rooting medium, the largest store of 
food, and the most evenly moist soil for the nourishment of 
the crops; and by following this system of culture we obtain 
the highest results in quantity, quality and profit. 
But each operation must be carried out with judgment 
and skill. The work must be done with the head as well as 
with the hands. Intelligent work is the best work, and the 
best work is the most profitable in the end. Then, if the 
