"If you won't wait it must be done," he said at last. "Have this border thoroughly well turned over, two feet deep at the least, and work in some of that savoury heap I saw in your little yard. You will find a good deal of root to cut away from those trees; they take the food from this border, but that can't be helped now. Then clear out the weeds and those terrible marigolds I see springing up everywhere, and those poppy seedlings. I think your new friends will have a better chance when that is done."
"And the plants that are to stay, may they be touched?"
"You must touch them, but do a piece at a time, and lift them in and out with a good ball of earth round the roots so as to disturb them as little as possible. Press them well in afterwards and water."
"Should Griggs put some of the savoury heap just round their roots?"
"No, no, let the whole border have a dressing. Later on any special plant may be mulched if it is needed."
"Mulched!" said the Young Man, turning to me. "Do you know what that is?"
I shook an ignorant head.
"Something to do with manure, I believe, but I don't know what."
"Griggs will show you," laughed the Master.