The Soil 
9 
converted into ice, expands, and so forces the particles 
apart. In spring the clods can then be easily broken down 
into a fine tilth. 
Where the clay soil is not deep enough for trenching, 
the subsoil should never be brought to the surface. Rough 
manure, decaying vegetable refuse, and leaf mould may 
be dug into the bottom when the first spit is taken off. 
In the course of a year or two the second spit may be 
brought up, and the third one may then be treated like 
the second, and soon you get a layer of good soil from 
3 to 4 ft. deep. When this is done, trenching every third 
year will be found very beneficial. When you commence 
digging or trenching, an opening two spits broad and one 
deep should be made where you propose to start digging. 
Take this loose material to the end of the piece it is 
proposed to dig, where it will fill in the last spit, thus 
making the whole level. If on a slope, always commence 
operations at the top. 
Special attention should be paid to the handling of the 
spade or fork, so as not unduly to tire oneself, and yet 
for the work to be effectively done. The spade should 
be put down quite vertically, and the position of the body 
should be such that its whole weight is on the spade when 
the latter is being pushed into the ground with the foot. 
Both hands should be at the top of the spade, until the 
top of the blade is level with the surface of the ground. 
Then the left hand should be lowered, grasping the lower 
part of the handle from the front, and turning over the soil 
so as to bring that which is at the bottom right to the 
top, and to bury any weeds to a depth from which it will 
be impossible for them to come up. 
