74

A DISCOURSE

is good advice to cover it with mould as soon as pofsible, before the sunhas over-dried it, for the reason before hinted x ; and by this early ap-plication you will find all that is stiff and any ways countemacious, sub-dued and perfectly prepared before you turn it in. If you would meliorateground for fruit-trees of the orchard, or roots and esculents of the olitorygarden, be cautious that the hotter dungs approach not immediately totheir stems or roots without such a circumposition of natural mould aswe have commended. But this is a note for such as think fit to use thesoil steaming as it comes from the heap; but, if it be prepared as we haveshowed, there is no danger even of immediate contact. And the same isto be observed in ablaqueation, where we find cause to bare the rootsof trees, and expose them to the air for fresh influence, or to abateexuberances; and that the cavity be not filled all at once, (when we con-ceive the roots have been sufficiently aired,) but gradually from month tomonth, as from October till the beginning of March; and, upon otheroccasions, leaving the surface rough, rather than too compt and ex-quisitely trimmed, if only you dig your ground, which once in two orthree years, four or five (as you perceive your trees require culture) is ad-visable, and then to mingle the earth with a thorough-soiling, and re-fresh it with the impregnate water of your cistern, will exceedinglyrecover a worn-out plantation. This irrigation may also be yearly givento the roots of your fruit-trees about June and July; and the spreadingof a little good soil upon the surface, and rough chopping it in with thespade before winter, is good husbandry, for it draws the roots upwards,the shallow running of which is of so great importance. But of thisalready.

And thus having showed how to prepare, ripen, separate,, and applythe several composts, (which for distinction sake we calljhe dry mixture,)I am next to describe the liquid, in many, particulars not much differingfrom the former procefs.

Betwixt east and north erect a pergola, or shed, so contrived with acover as to exclude, or admit, the rain, snow, and weather at pleasure;

* In this manner plenty of rich compost may be raised.. Some people bed the ground,on which sheep are folded, with sand, which enables them to remove the rich manure toany distant place at pleasure.