BEST SOIL FOR A GARDEN.
The soil of a gardenia obviously of the greatest consequence in its culture. It is, however, a subordinate consideration to situation aud exposure, for the soil may be changed or improved by art, whereas it is quite impossible to remove the site/or change the exposure of a plot of ground. The best soil for a garden is a sandy loam, not less than two feet in depth, neither of a binding nature in summer, nor retentive of rain in winter, but of such a nature as that it can be easily worked at any season of the year. There are few esculent vegetables which require less depth of earth to grow in than two feet to bring them to perfection ; and if the earth of the kitchen garden be three feet, or even more in depth, so much the better ; for when plants are in a state of maturity, if the roots, even of peas, spinach, kiduoy beans, lettuce, &c, be minutely traced, they will be found to penetrate into the earth in search of food fully to the depth of two feet, provided the soil be of a natui'e to allow them. If this rule can be observed, draining will be unnecessary ; for when land is well prepared for the growth of fruit-trees and esculent vegetables by trenching, manuring, and digging, ifc is by these
means brought into such a porous temperature that the rains pass through it without being detained longer than necessary. If the land of a garden be of too strong a nature, it should be well mixed with grit or road - scrapings. The worst soil for a garden is a stiff, heavy clay ; a light land is always very objectionable. Perhaps the most desirable soil for a kitchen garden would be one as nearly as possible midway between those two, such soil being easy to work, little effected by drought, rains, or frost, and the greater part of the valuable kinds of kitchen vegetables delighting in it. Whatever the nature of the soil may be, perfect drainage— either natural or artificial — is absolutely and essentially requisite.
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Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 59, 9 March 1878, Page 6
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356BEST SOIL FOR A GARDEN. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 59, 9 March 1878, Page 6
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