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out the whole ; its strata are of various thick- 

 nesses, sometimes being little more than that 

 which forms theturf or upper sward, and at other 

 times lying from one or two, to three or four 

 feet under the surface. That is generally the 

 best which is of a moderate depth, being more 

 within the ameliorating powers of the sun and 

 atmosphere ; the other lying deeper, being 

 known to abound with crude unqualified mat- 

 ter, very unfavourable to the growth of tender 

 plants, unless exposed in the compost yard for 

 a year or two to the weather, whereby, it will 

 become fit for all strong growing woody kinds, 

 or fruit trees in general. 



Loam being found answerable to the purpose 

 for which it is designed, it should be immedi- 

 ately carted home and heaped in a clean part 

 of the compost yard for a few months ; so that 

 the turf, and fibres of the grass, may have suf- 

 ficient time to decay, and the whole become 

 more qualified for use through the action of the 

 season : when it has lain thus for seme time 

 together, it will be found to be in a very good 

 state for working. 



This sort of soil is particularly adapted for 

 striking cuttings in general, on account of its 

 firm close texture, and the twofold quality of 

 retaining moisture longer than either peat or 

 sand, and at the same time, its own natural 

 dissolubility, which admits the young fibres of 



