CHAP. LXIX. ERICA‘CER. 1175 
sists solely of beds and gravel walks, as is 
sometimes the case; but they are peculiarly 
applicable where the general surface is of 
turf, even if that surface should not be level. 
The opening of these surface drains need 
not be more than 2} in. wide, and 6 in. deep, 
formed of bricks, laid on edge for the sides, 
and flatwise for the bottom and top, as shown in fig. 999. The upper 
surface of the covering bricks of this drain should be level with the sur- 
face of the lawn; and, as the covers would be laid on alternately crosswise 
and lengthwise, the appearance would be as in fig. 1000. The upper sur- 
face of the bricks, being exposed to the air and weather, 
would soon assume a dingy colour, so as to harmonise 
with the green of the turf; and, being as perfectly even and 
smooth as the ground on each side, they would offer no 
obstruction to walking, rolling, or mowing. The brick- 
work of the drain should be formed without mortar, in 
order to let the water escape at the bottom and sides; 
and to admit of taking off the top bricks to clear out any 
fibrous roots, or any other obstruction that might be formed 
in it. If the appearance of the bricks were thought a de- 
formity, the brickwork might be sunk 3in. deeper, and 
covered with turf; and, if the expense of bricks were an 
object, it might be lessened by employing earthenware pipes, 
of small diameter, not cementing them at the joints, or 
using draining or ridge tiles, and setting them on common 
flat tiles, and covering the whole with soil and turf, so as not 
to show any appearance of a drain on the surface, as shown 
in fig. 1001. Drains of this kind are not adapted for being 
laid out in parallel straight lines in ericacetums, because 
these lines would necessarily interfere with the dug groups ; 
but they are well adapted for being carried in irregular lines 
in the glades of turf between the beds; and they may be 
supplied with water at one or both ends. Even an ericace- 
tum, or other garden or lawn, on an irregular surface, may be 
watered in this way,on the principle on which surface irrigation is practised on 
hilly ground ; viz. beginning on the highest spot, and winding the drain about, 
always with a certain degree of steepness, 
till the lowest ground is reached. The “2/7/4777 
whole of any lawn or park, however irregular 
it might be on the surface, might be kept 
moist in this way during the hot summer 
months, without a drop of water being ever 
seen upon the grass. 
Another mode of supplying water to an 
ericacetum is by simply flooding the sur- 
face, which, being on a perfect level, might be done to the depth of an inch 
or more, in the evening, once or twice a week, during very hot weather, 
without risk of injuring the plants. 
Should, however, the surface of the ericacetum be 5 ft. or 6 ft. below the 
general surface of the ground, and if it be formed in a soil not naturally very 
porous and dry, such as gravel or sand, chalk, &c., very little artificial water- 
ing will be necessary ; and both under drains and surface drains may be 
omitted. 
In planting an ericacetum, whatever may be the form of the bed, the plants 
ought to be placed so far apart as to allow them to branch out freely in every 
direction without touching one another. It is only when they are grown in this 
manner that they flower freely, and become covered with flowers on every 
side, and over the whole plant. In the after-management, whenever any plant 



