OY PLEx\SURE GllOUNDS. 355 



before the compost is applied. It should be laid on 

 the ground in small heaps, before the trenching 

 commences. When the first trench is opened, and 

 the paring, about two or three inches thick, from 

 the next is thrown into it, — let some of the dung or 

 compost be spread both upon the paring in the first 

 trench, and on the surface, from which the paring 

 has been removed in the second. A spit depth of 

 earth being removed from the new into the old 

 trench, another quantity of the manure is to be ap- 

 plied, both on the top and along the slope of the 

 newly turned earth, and upon the surface of what 

 remains in the trench that is not fully opened. If 

 the depth before the shovelling be made another 

 spit, the same operation is to be repeated ; and, 

 last of all, after the shovelling is taken from the 

 bottom, a portion is to be thrown on the surface, 

 there to remain till it be dug in, when the trees are 

 planted. Thus the work is to proceed, trench after 

 trench, till the whole be finished. Along with the 

 dung a very considerable quantity of lime should be 

 given, one-third more at least than the best agricul- 

 turists usually apply to land in the same state, and 

 of the same quality as that which the planter may 

 have to operate upon. The lime tends to commi- 

 nute the soil, and keep it in a soft state, — matters 



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