9^ 



ftgf^ to a depth of more than eighteen or ' - 

 ^ twenty inches, and I have seen wonder- 

 fully beautiful and successful rose gardens 

 where, because of existing conditions, it was not 

 practical to prepare the beds to a greater depth 

 than fifteen inches. 



In digging for the depth decided upon, save 

 every stone, small or medium, to use later for 

 drainage— that is, if the soil is clay or heavy loam 

 and clay. 



All the top soil, as it is dug up, should be kept 

 in a separate pile from the subsoil, for we will use 

 the top soil to fill in the bottom of the bed. Should 

 there be any sod we must not forget to first have 

 it chopped up before using it. 



When the depth has been reached, spread 

 on the bottom a thick coating of lime, then a layer 

 of stones for drainage— that is, providing the soil 

 is heavy clay or heavy clay loam. If the subsoil 

 is sandy, there is natural drainage and the layer 

 of stones is not required. 



Now, on the bottom where the lime has been 

 spread, or if stones etc. have been thrown in for 

 drainage, six inches of rotted stable manure is 

 spread. Next, all the earth taken from the bed in 

 digging is thrown in on top of the stable manure 



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