THE FACTORS IN DETAIL 



19 



and it is not often offered for sale when newly 

 made — is generally so thickly covered with 

 surface growth that its character is not super- 

 ficially apparent. Here again the trial trench 

 suggests itself as a wise precaution. 



Peat land does not constitute a good site, 

 because the existence of peat implies water- 

 logging. Drainage, however, may be effectual 

 in converting it into a good garden, always pro- 

 vided that the nature of the subsoil permits 

 of draining it thoroughly. 



Land which has recently been in cultivation, 

 either as arable or garden ground, is in most 

 cases preferable to pasture; because it has a 

 greater depth of surface soil, and constant 

 working and manuring have brought it to the 

 best consistency for the gardener's purpose. 



On the other hand, pasture has certain ad- 

 vantages. There may be some additional 

 labour needed to bring the soil into working 

 condition, but against that it may be possible 

 to preserve part of the pasture as grass, and 

 thus avoid the necessity for turfing or sowing. 



Aspect — In gardens of small size the ques- 

 tion of aspect is perhaps the most important 

 factor for the gardener to consider, because 



