SOIL. 



SOIL. 



19 



|HIS is an all-important matter, but one very 

 much neglected both by amateur and profes- 

 sional gardeners, who too often act as though 

 anything in the shape of soil is good enough, but unless 

 good suitable mould is used, success cannot be obtained. 

 For as different plants affect different soils in a state of 

 nature, the cultivator must endeavour to utilize the hints 

 thus given to him. Hence the importance of making 

 composts suitable to the requirements of the plants. To 

 have this department under proper control, a place should 

 be set apart in some convenient quarter of the garden, 

 for keeping a stock of the different kinds of earths, 

 manures, &c., which are required, as well as a supply 

 of pots. This is designated the compost yard. The 

 various kinds of earth or soil should be neatly stacked 

 up, in order that by age they may become mellow, and 

 better adapted for the potting of tender plants than when 

 newly dug. In selecting soils it must be remembered 

 that the top spit is always preferable. 



Loam. — This is of two kinds — light and heavy. The 

 first is generally pale yeUow in colour, but sometimes 

 blackish ; the latter is deep yellow, and feels somewhat 

 greasy when taken in the hand, These should be stacked 

 separately, with the turf and living grass downwards, 

 placing a layer of manure over every layer of loam of 

 the heavy quality; in this way the manure will become 

 thoroughly incorporated with it, and when out out for 

 use it wiU be found in a nice fi-iable state. The quality of 

 loam varies considerably in different parts of the country. 

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