Propagation of Plants 93 
one of the best conditions, though it is harder to work; but it 
will need less fertilizing, will retain moisture and keep fertile 
longer than any other. This is a favorable condition for roses. 
The basis of all gardens should be loam, with a bottom layer 
of turf turned root side up, and other ingredients spread over 
the whole area; or, a still better way would be to make a rich 
general compost of one half loam mixed with leaf mold, sand, 
ashes, well rotted manure in moderate quantity. When this 
is well distributed, and dug in, special conditions may be 
created where they are needed. In setting out roses more 
manure and a little clay may be added directly to the soil 
where they are planted. For plants that thrive in sandy soil, 
a considerable quantity of sharp sand may be given. Others 
require leaf mold to excess, and this may be given. In short 
every plant, according to its need, may be provided with its 
own peculiar nutriment. It is also well to have a small pile of 
general compost to which has been added an equal amount of 
well rotted cow or horse manure, and let it stand a whole year 
or longer, stirring it from time to time until it is perfectly in- 
corporated. After a year or two this may be used on lilies and 
gladioli, neither of which will survive if placed in direct con- 
tact with fresh manure, yet require a highly enriched soil. If 
you havea clay soil your difficulty will be greatly increased, for 
it hardens and cakes badly, and you must at any cost add a 
quantity of sharp sand to lighten it. Manuring will not do it, 
and sand is a necessity. I carefully save the coarse mulch and 
leaves removed from the garden in early spring, adding to 
them all the fresh refuse of plants, as they are trimmed after 
flowering, and upon this pile I place a little manure and com- 
mon loam. By autumn the bottom of it is resolved into a 
finely pulverized soil that makes an ideal fertilizer for plants 
when they are reset and prepared for winter. With a good 
general compost basis to which other ingredients, previously 
