THE planter's GUIDE. 



147 



that the process, however compendious, is an imperfect 

 succedaneum to the slower maceration or preparation by 

 nature; but an entire year is saved by adopting this 

 method, which at times may be of consequence to the 

 owner of a place, while there are not perhaps many 

 gardeners who can boast of their hothouse mould being 

 of a texture more perfect than that which has been pro- 

 duced by it. 



Next, as to groups and larger masses. By a group of 

 trees is to be understood any number from two (which is 

 the smallest group) to ten, or more, in the lawn or park, 

 intended for some particular effect. As the distances 

 between the trees are generally from sixteen to twenty 

 feet, according to the ground, it is obvious that, after 

 trenching as many large spaces or circles as there are 

 trees in the group, not more than a third part of the 

 whole space or area occupied will remain solid or un- 

 touched between the circles. In all cases of this sort 1 

 should much recommend that the entire area^ comprising 

 all the trees of the group, be trenched at once, and reach- 

 ing to at least five yards beyond the stakes which mark 

 the outside plants. Thus the labour of wheeling earth to 

 close in the work at each particular space or circle is 

 saved, and a much wider range given to the roots to 

 extend freely. In fact, the number of additional or extra 

 poles of ground to be turned over is trifling, whilst a con- 

 siderable saving is made in the lesser depth of the trench 

 required, particularly on stiff land, and a great additional 

 value conferred on the ground itself. 



There is no soil of which the produce, whether in 

 grain-crops or in pasture, will not be increased by the one 

 half, in consequence of such stirring and deepening ; and 

 there are many soils, those of a thin quality in particular, 

 on which these processes will double the proclme,. if the 



