It must be observed, however, that, though the soil be good in its nature down to two feet deep, that which comes to the top in the first node of trenching, will not be, immediately, so good for use, as the soil which has been at top for ages. It is, in such a case, of great advantage to place the old topsoil at the bottom; because when roots find the soil good to such a depth, the plants and trees thrive and bear surprisingly.

But, then, the new top soil must be exceedingly well worked and well and judiciously manured, in order to make it equal to the old top soil.

The ground being trenched, in October, ought to be well manured at top with good well rotted dung, or with soap boiler's ashes, or some other good manure; and this might be ploughed, or dug in shallowly.

Before the frost is gone in the spring, another good coat of manure should be put on; well rotted manure from the yard; ashes; or, rather, if ready, from a good compost. Then, when the frost is gone, the ground will be instantly fit for digging and planting; and, it will bear almost anything that can be put into it.

Thus will the round be prepared; and here I close my directions with regard to the nature and preparation of the soil. But, it seems necessary to add a few words on the subject of manures as adapted to a garden. It is generally thought, and, I believe, truly, that dung, of any sort, is not what ought to be used in the raising of garden vegetables.

It is very certain, that they are coarse and gross when produced with aid of that sort of manure, compared to what they are when raised with the aid of ashes, lime, rags, and composts. And, besides, dung, in hot soils and hot climates, adds to the heat; while ashes, lime, rags and composts do not; but, on the contrary, they attract, and cause the earth to retain, moisture.

All the ground in a garden ought always to be good; and it will be kept in this state if it be well manured once every year. Perhaps it will scarcely ever be convenient to any one to manure the whole garden at one time: and this is not of so much importance.

Clay, or any earth, burnt, is excellent manure for a garden. It has no seeds of weeds or grass in it. A compost, made of such ashes, some wood ashes, a

small portion of horsedung, rotten leaves, and mould shoveled up under trees, round buildings, or on the sides of roads. All these together, put into a heap, and turned over several times, make the best manure for a garden.

A great deal more is done by the fermentation of manures than people generally imagine. In the month of June take twenty cart loads of earth, which has been shoveled off the surface of a grassy lane, or by a road side, or round about barns, stables, and the like. Lay these twenty loads about a foot thick on some convenient spot.

Go and cut up twenty good cart loads of weeds of any sort, and lay these well shaken up, on the earth. Then cover the weeds with twenty more cart loads of earth like the former, throwing the earth on lightly. In three days you will see the heap smoke as if on fire. If you put your hand into the earth, you will find it too hot to be endured. In a few days the heat will decline, and you will perceive the heap sink. Let it remain a week after this, and then turn it very carefully. This will mix the whole well together. You will find the weeds and grass in a putrid state.

Another heating will take place, but less furious than the former. Turn it a second time in seven days: and a third time in seven days more. And by this time you will have forty cart loads of manure, equal in strength to twenty of yard dung, and a vast deal better for a garden, or, indeed, for another land.

It is not expensive to obtain this sort of manure; and such a heap, or part of such a heap might at all times be ready for the use of the garden. When such a heap were once formed, some ashes, fish shells or bones reduced to powder, or other enlivening matter, might be added to it, and mixed well with it; and thus would a store be al ways at hand for any part of the garden that might want it.