IV 



PLANTING 



49 



very slightly with the lower portion but more fully 

 with the upper part, and for forming the topmost two 

 inches of the bed. Then dig out the remainder of the 

 depth agreed on, and see that the drainage is right. If 

 the soil be good replace it, and if it be worthless cart 

 it away, and fill in with the imported soil, which if it 

 be actual clay should also have some of the lighter 

 material worked in as thoroughly as possible. This 

 lower portion should be about two-thirds of the whole 

 in depth ; and if manure is to be added, let it be mixed 

 freely with this alone, and not put into the upper part. 

 If the bed is meant for Tea Roses, heavy soil is not 

 necessary, and a large proportion of the lower part 

 should consist of the best manure, remembering that 

 the more manure is added the more the beds will sink 

 eventually as it decays. 



The upper third of the bed should next be formed. 

 If the imported material be loam, a good deal of this 

 may be used ; but if it be clay it should be added very 

 sparingly, and as well worked in as possible with a good 

 deal of the lighter soil and the chopped turf, the upper 

 two inches in all cases being of soil that the hoe will pass 

 through freely and easily. The bed is now made up, 

 with the strongest soil and manure forming the larger 

 lower part over the drainage, and the upper one-third 

 of rather more friable material, getting gradually more 

 porous towards the top, for the admission of air and 

 warmth and the encouragement of fibrous roots. The 

 beds should not be trodden more than can be avoided, 

 if there be time for them to settle ; it will be better if 

 they are pressed gently from time to time, or allowed 

 to sink naturally of themselves. 



By the first or second week in November the pur- 

 chased plants ought to arrive, and these should have 



E 



