THE TLANTEE'S guide. 



149 



During the trenching of the spaces, it is advisable to 

 giA^e the work a good dressing of compost, of a quality 

 directly opposite to the quality of the soil, and to be 

 dashed on thinly and frequently over the face or front of 

 the new earth thrown up. If this be abundantly done, 

 one extra cart-load of compost (I mean a single cart) for 

 each tree is sufficient, not omitting a third part more of 

 the peaty or general compost, to finish the preparation. 

 The inexperienced planter may rely upon it, that there is 

 no improvement more certain than this of trenching at 

 once the whole area which a group comprises, instead of 

 the preparation of pits for individual trees. It is not 

 always that the best style of work proves the cheapest in 

 the beginning, however it may in general turn out in the 

 end. But in the present instance, the most perfect 

 economy is united with the most perfect efficiency, and 

 the success of the trees and the improvement of the 

 ground are equally consulted. 



It is to be noticed that the work of preparation, in 

 every situation where it is convenient, should be done a 

 year at least before the removal of the trees. This is a 

 maxim fully as important and deserving of consideration 

 as any one that has been delivered in the present section. 

 Although somewhat may be lost in missing the carbonic 

 acid gas, and the genial influence of the atmosphere, 

 which are introduced during the work in order to excite 

 vegetation, yet a superior object is gained by a fuller 

 incorporation of the compost with the soil, during the 

 renewed comminution of the whole when the planting 

 takes place. No doubt an excellent soil, as has been 

 already seen, may be obtained at the moment, and under 

 the pressure of circumstances, by ingenuity and skill. 

 But it will be found by experience that there is no case 

 in which a little time and patience is better laid out than 



