General Preparations of. Soil for planting should be prepared carefully. Beds for shrubbery should be dug at least twelve inches deep and ample width and depth provided for trees, varying according to their size. The soil should be made loose and friable so that it will cover the roots thoroughly. Well-rotted manure should be incorporated in planting beds, but never directly in contact with the roots, especially of evergreens. Heavy soils should be lightened, if possible, by the addition of sandy loam or straw manure and light soils should be improved by the addition of vegetable matter.

Oftentimes owners of property are so anxious to do their planting in an economical way that they lose sight of the fact that thorough preparation of all planting areas, although more expensive, is good economy, and the least expensive way in the long run of obtaining good results. Poor preparation of planting beds as well as foundations for lawn areas means an increased expense in the cost of maintenance during the succeeding years after the completion of the original work. Thorough preparation of planting beds can be accomplished only through the use of good friable topsoil and an adequate supply of well-rotted manure. It is an easy matter in all planting work, especially that done in clay soils, to do so-called pocket planting and to feel that the initial expense has been very greatly reduced. In all planting areas bordering refined lawns this method of planting is not desirable. It causes a "soil-bound" and a stunted growth of the root system and does not provide the adequate food supply which plants growing freely in a loose and friable soil can obtain.