22 FIGTOEIAL PRACTICAL VEGETABLE GROWLNG. 



cated by everybody except the labourers ayIio Avere hired for the job. 

 Good results followed. There are drawbacks, to be sure, with spring 

 as compared with autumn trenchiug, but they do not outweigh the 

 advantages. 



It goes without saying, I hope, that the system adopted should be 

 one that shifts at least two spits, and yet keeps them iu their 

 relative positions. Xo turning the top spit down, it you please, and 

 nothing less than 20 inches of soil to be thoroughly moved ; 3'j inches 

 preferred. As a principle, remember that the lighter the soil the 

 deeper the trenching should be. 



There is a fine gusto about the business that proves infectious. 

 Trenching yields the enjoyment of rude health, and the mental 

 exhilaration of a perfect digestive process. 



If the reader wants to start a topic of interest at his next 

 ^' mutuaV let him raise the question of left or right-handed digdng 

 — I mean, digging with the left or the right hand at the bottom of 

 the tool. The model digger is he who can dig easily and rapidly 

 either way, but how many are there of him? Xot many, I fear. It 

 is not to be expected, perhaps. There are great left-handed and 

 great right-handed bowlers, but. in my experience of the summer 

 game, which extends from the days of Jupp and Alorley. I have never 

 yet seen a man disporting himself on the cricket sward in first-class 

 matches who could bowl well with either hand. Yet ambidexterity 

 with the spade is an accomplishment well worth learning. 



FIG. 7.-A DIGGER'S 

 BOOT PROTECTOR. 



It is made out of an 

 old spade ; <7, the 

 outline : '\ the re- 

 in :n:a: _ V : :oemade 

 int'j u aper (see 

 3). straps fixed 

 to the raised ed2:es 

 of the piece after 

 cutting out. 



