20 



GARDENING FOE THE SOUTH. 



picket or plank fence will, in a few years, make a good 

 enclosure for a fruit or vegetable garden, and in flower is 

 very ornamental. 



After hedges are established, a trench should be cut on 

 the garden side, two and a half or three feet from their 

 base, sufficiently deep to keep their roots from extending 

 into the beds and injuring the crops. 



- 



CHAPTER II. 



SOILS— THEIR CHARACTERISTICS. 



Soils. — In all climates the character of the soil is of 

 as much importance as situation or aspect. Soils are of 

 two classes. They may be composed of matter derived 

 directly from the decay of rock, like clay, loam, sand, 

 lime, and other earthy and alkaline matters. Such a soil 

 is classed as inorganic. Soils may likewise originate from 

 the action and decay of plants and animals (organized be- 

 ings,) as for example, peat, mould, and shell-marl. Such 

 a soil is classed as organic. A good soil is the result of 

 the proper union of both these classes. 



The mechanical texture of a soil is likewise especially 

 to be regarded, as on this depends the proper retention of 

 manure and moisture. There are two grand divisions of 

 soils, the heavy and light, which pass into each other by 

 imperceptible gradations. 5 



The best classification of soils is that of Schiibler, a Geii 

 man, and is founded entirely upon the relative proportions 

 of the chief constituents of all soils, viz., clay, sand, lime, 

 and humus. He classes them as follows : 



Argillaceous /Soils. — These contain over fifty per cent 

 of clay, and are readily known by their tenacity and 



