1.   I forgot to water the plants and the soil has gone bone dry.

2.   Saline alluvial soils have high levels of exchangeable sodium and the effects of gleying are clearly evident.

3.   Therefore, the soil has to be removed down to firm ground, and a firm foundation prepared for the side walls.

4.   These are poor in nutrients and their peaty soils have little capacity to absorb any more acid without deleterious effects.

5.   The effects are worst in upland granite areas, where peaty soils have little potential to resist the acidity.

6.   As any gardener knows, soil has structure, due largely to the presence of decaying organic matter, or humus.

7.   Before anything could be planted, the sandy, fast-draining soil had to be amended.

8.   But that was of little use, because the soil did not have time to soak it up.

9.   Even with these precautions, you may still encounter problems if the surrounding soil has a heavy concentration ote nests.