306 SIR HENRY STEUART'S METHOD 



the pits for each of them are prepared separately. 

 For this purpose, if the subsoil be porous, the 

 ground is trenched two feet deep. For a pit of this 

 description three single cart-loads of compost are 

 required, which compost must be as thoroughly mix- 

 ed with the soil as possible. 



Supposing the pit intended to remain empty a 

 year or more after being trenched, the work should 

 proceed as follows :— The compost is first to be laid 

 down round the stake, and at such distance from it, 

 that none of it may be in the area of the pit. The 

 dimensions are then to be marked off, so as to make 

 the pit for a middle sized tree, about eighteen feet 

 diameter. This being done, the trenching is to 

 begin, taking care to wheel the earth taken out of 

 the first trench to the opposite side of the pit, in 

 order to close in the last one. The compost is to be 

 dashed evenly over the surface as the work proceeds, 

 every practicable means being made use of to mix 

 it as thoroughly as possible with the soil. 



It is highly advantageous that the trenching 

 should take place at least twelve months before the 

 tree be planted, in order that the compost may have 

 its full effect in promoting the pulverization of the 

 soil. If this, however, should be found inconveni- 

 ent, and the planters, from impatience, or any other 



