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THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



tioii that the soil is not sufficiently deep to admit of trenching 

 three spit deep ; " in situations where the soil is only so deep 

 to allow of trenching two spit, and where expense in making it 

 deeper may be gi'udged, the above hint may also be followed 

 with advantage, as by regularly trenching every third or fourth 

 year, the ground will rest half its time; and, if judiciously 

 managed and cropped in proper rotation, wholesome vegetables 

 may be produced in it for many years successively." 



There are few instances where a garden can be trenched all 

 in one year, neither is there any necessity for it, one division, 

 quarter, or break, may be conveniently trenched annually, 

 without interrupting the ordinary routine of business ; and, per- 

 haps, in no way more conveniently than that recommended for 

 planting the autumnal crops of the different species of cab- 

 bage. 



A considerable expenditure will be saved, if the choice has 

 been made of a soil of such a nature proper for the formation of 

 a garden. Strong stubborn clays are to be avoided, being the 

 most unfit of all others, as few vegetables will prosper in them, 

 and the expense of rendering them more congenial will not only 

 be excessive, but many years must expire, before all the power of 

 art can ameliorate them in any tolerable degree; and even then, 

 they will be imperfect, as the clay will always have the pre- 

 dominant influence. Sand, lime, chalk, (where it can be pro- 

 cured,) and coal-ashes, correct the tenacity of clayey soils, and 

 make them work more pleasantly; the former, if sharp, or if 

 it be river or sea-sand, with a mixture of shells, will, if dug in, 

 in a sufficient quantity, render it of a lighter texture. Chalk 

 should be spread on the surface in autumn, so that the whole 

 may be pulverized by the action of the winter's fi'ost and rains, 

 and dug in, in spring. It corrects the acidity of the clay, as 

 well as renders it more friable. Lime acts much in the same 

 way, but should be used more sparingly. Coal-ashes have 

 much the same effect upon stiff soils. Lime rubbish dug in, is 

 a good corrector of stiff soils, and is less objectionable than the 

 coal-ashes. Decayed tanners' bark, bog-mould, or any vege- 

 table mould applied to strong soils lightens them considerably. 

 Such soils cannot be too much wi'ought by the spade; every 

 opportunity should be taken to ridge and rough-dig strong soils. 



