THE ELOEAL WOULD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 
271 
cumstances, trenching should precede planting at least several 
■weeks, if possible. The soil then becomes settled, and, from the 
action of the -weather, well pulverized, and will be, in fact, in an 
excellent condition to receive plants. The difference in the success 
of shrubs planted in a nicely pulverized and otherwise well pre- 
pared soil, and in one newly trenched, stiff, and full of unbroken 
clods, is very great. In soils which require preparation, much of 
the success of the shrubs to be planted in it will depend on its 
being timely and efficiently performed. 
Two years ago I made plans for a new garden in the neighbour- 
hood of London ; the proprietor of the ground superintended their 
execution, and, with the exception of a preliminary visit at the com- 
mencement of the work, I did not see the gardens until the ensuing- 
spring, when I was consulted as to the cause of the most general 
failure of the shrubs. This was at once evident. The soil was very- 
stiff — clay, in fact ; and as it was trenched in the autumn and 
winter, and the plants immediately placed in it, it is easily imagined 
what kind of medium the roots enjoyed. The soil was, in fact, but 
a collection of lumps of clay with nothing to fill the interstices ; 
nevertheless, attempts had been made at planting — it would be 
libellous to say that it was really performed. The winds of March, 
assisted by the sun, had converted the lumps of clay into brick, and 
robbed the ill-covered roots of every particle of moisture ; the plants 
were, of course, dead or dying, and no art could save them then. In 
this case, an early preparation of the soil was not only advisable but 
imperative, if anything like success with the shrubs was to be hoped 
for. Such a soil should be broken up a year before planting, and 
well worked at intervals to bring it into a proper condition. All 
soils will yield to well-directed labour ; the end to be attained is 
merely a question of time, labour, and expense. Those who are 
unfortunate enough to have an unfavourable soil to deal with, must 
incur all that if the best results are to be obtained. I have urged 
early attention to the preparation of the soil for planting, and I 
repeat it, because I am convinced of its importance. I could give 
many examples, not only of great inconvenience arising from a 
retardation in the progress of works, but of the waste of much time 
and money, resulting solely from an indifference to, or a total dis- 
regard of, such council. Half the failures in planting arise directly 
or indirectly from procrastination in this respect, and I shall have 
effected good service if fortunate enough to convince any apathetic 
reader of the fact. 
In very stiff soils, where the spaces for the shrubberies, as well 
as those for the smaller clumps, only are trenches, something beyond 
the general drains (which will, of course, be laid dow-n before any 
other work is commenced) will be required, if, as will often be the 
case, no general drain passes through them. Such spaces, from the 
compactness of the unbroken soil around, become reservoirs for 
water unless some means of escape is provided for it. This should 
always be given. An auxiliary drain entering a contiguous one is 
easily added, and will be found an effectual remedy. I have seen 
the worst effects result from non-attention to this. The bed so 
September. 
