OF EARTH. 2S 



or shrubs, the longer you expose it and leave the receptacles open, (were 

 it for two whole winters,) the better it will recompense your expectation ; 

 and especially if, when you come to plant, you dispose of the best and 

 fattest earth at the bottom, which, if it be of sweet and ventilated mud 

 of ponds, or highway dust, were preferable to all the artificial composts 

 you can devise. In defect of this, (where it cannot be had in quantity,) 

 cast in the upper turf, if not already consumed, the sod downwards, with 

 the next adhering mould for half a foot in thickness ; on this, a layer of 

 well-manured dung ; then as much of the earth which was last flung out, 

 mixing them very well together. Repeat this process for kinds, mixture, 

 and thickness, till your trenches and holes be filled four or five inches 

 above the level or area of the ground, to which it will quickly subside 

 upon the first refreshings, and a very gentle treading to establish the tree. 

 Fruit planted in such mould, you will find to prosper infinitely better 

 than where young trees are clapped in at adventure in new broken-up 

 earth, which is always cold and sluggish, and ill-complexioned ; nor will 

 they require (as else they do) to be supplied every foot with fresh soil, be- 

 fore they are able to put forth lusty and spreading roots ; but which it is 

 impossible to convey to them so as to affect the under parts, by excava- 

 ting the ground and undermining the trees, after once they arrive to any 

 stature, without much trouble and inconvenience, and the manifest re- 

 tarding of their progress. 



If you will plant in pits and holes, and not give your ground an uni- 

 versal trenching, (which I prefer,) make them the larger ; five feet, at the 

 least, square, but not above half a yard or two feet deep, according to 

 the nature of the tree In dressing the roots, be as sparing as possible of 

 the fibres, small and tender strings, (which are, as it were, the emulgent 

 veins which insume and convey the nourishment to the whole tree,) and 

 such of the stronger and more confirmed parts which you trim, cut sloping, 



It is certainly the best way to trench the whole land before planting ; but the expense 

 of doing that by the spade, in large undertakings, does generally induce the planter to 

 perform the work by making holes in the manner here described, though not recommended. 

 Since the days of our excellent author, the trenching-plough has been much improved ; 

 and, indeed, when properly worked, it is capable of preparing the greatest extent of land 

 for planting, at a price infinitely less than the spade. 



Volume 11. 3 I 



