PEEPARATION OF NEW GROUNDS. 



not trenched, and when a month or six weeks of dry weather comes, as it did this 

 season, it turns as brown as sole-leather. 



Trenching with a spade to the depth of eighteen or twenty inches is somewhat 

 costly, and, therefore, when a large tract is to be improved, the subsoil plow can be 

 used. This answers every purpose, unless when the ground is so stony that it is 

 impossible to keep the plow in the ground. The proper way to subsoil effectually is, 

 to have the common plow go first and turn over a deep and wide furrow ; then let 

 the subsoil follow with not less than four horses or oxen. In preparing stiff soils we 

 would advise two such plowings as this, one crossing the other ; and it should be done 

 late in the autumn or early in spring, while the subsoil is saturated with moisture : 

 at a dry season of the year it is imjjossible. 



Next comes manuring ; and in this let there be no stinginess. "Whoever contem- 

 plates the improvement of ground should begin early to prepare manures and composts, 

 for this can not be done in a few days or weeks. It should be prepared a year before- 

 hand, so as to be well decomposed and thoroughly mixed in order that it may not 

 fill the land with all manner of noxious weeds. We would spread it over the surface 

 and plow it down in the autumn at the first plowing, so that it might be properly 

 incorporated with soil during subsequent working. The needful quantity of manure 

 will, of course, vary according to the natural fertility and condition of the soil. In 

 some cases, two inches deep spread evenly over the surface may be sufficient ; in others, 

 twice that would scarcely sufiice. At all events, be liberal. 



Our purpose at present is not so much to treat of these primary ground- works 

 through the detail of practice, as to urge the necessity of making them the founda- 

 tion of all improvements. We hope we shall never again hear it said, "I will plant 

 my trees now and improve the ground afterwards, as I have leisure." Would it not 

 be as wise to say, " I will erect my house now, and hereafter, when I have leisure, I 

 will dig the cellars and construct the foundation ?" 



There is now a great and greatly increasing desire for rural homes. Hundreds are 

 leaving the crowded cities and selecting homes for themselves and families in their 

 suburbs. As our railroads increase, and furnish better facilities for communication 

 between town and country, we may expect this state of things to continue. It is 

 important, then, that the few simple truths we have stated be well understood. 

 The pleasure of a surburban dwelling depends materially on the comfort and beauty 

 which the gardens and grounds aflbrd ; and when they are neglected, or so mis- 

 managed as to afford neither beauty or comfort, the great aim of rural life is lost. 

 The growth of taste will, we trust, soon bring about a state of things in which men 

 will not spend ten thousand dollars freely on a house, and one hundred dollars 

 grudgingly on the garden. 



