Where street trees are to be planted, the ground-surface should in every instance be thoroughly broken up for a space of not less than 8 ft. square, and to a depth of, say, 4 ft., the inferior soil removed and replaced by that of good quality, preferably of a loamy description, or loam and leaf soil in about equal proportions. Before placing the fresh soil in position, the sides and bottom of each pit should be thoroughly loosened with a pick or fork. By undermining the sides of each pit, a much larger and freer root run will be provided, and this will not necessitate so much of the street or pavement being torn up as if the pits were of equal width at the top and bottom. We have found, in London at least, that the addition of a small quantity of leaf soil to the loam is highly beneficial to the growth of trees by retaining dampness and encouraging root spread. The newly added soil should be firmly trampled in the pit before planting is engaged in. Sometimes, where the original soil is not of too inferior quality, a small proportion has been mixed with the loam and leaf soil, but, speaking generally, this course cannot be adopted. In squares and gardens where shrub planting is to be engaged in, a general renovation of the soil is also imperative, and this can best be done by thoroughly trenching the soil to a depth of, say, 4 ft. and adding a large proportion of fresh loam or other soil. Deep trenching and thoroughly breaking up and loosening the soil is a most important factor in town planting, and should never be neglected. Manure is sometimes added to the soil, but it is objectionable from several points of view, and, if used at all, should be thoroughly decomposed and incorporated in small quantity. Good loam and leaf soil is infinitely preferable, and, where necessary, sandy soil makes a good addition. A little fresh lime added to the soil has been found most beneficial in town planting, and in old and exhausted borders, where the soil has become tainted with chemical impurities, the value of lime or chalk as a cleansing agent is not sufficiently appreciated. Of course, where so-called American shrubs are to be planted—which is, however, rarely attempted in London—neither chalk nor lime should be added to the soil. This question of soil is so important that no one planting street trees or shrubs can afford to ignore it, and while the extra cost in providing it is but little, the advantages gained are great.