112 PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



good in their proper places_, or in relation to different 

 localities. Our own experience has led to the conclusion 

 that operose preparations^ such as trenching or plough- 

 ing^ are in general not required beyond the park^ and 

 that the expensive operation of trenching may be con- 

 fined to the circle of the dressed grounds. 



The principal advantage of trenching and ploughing 

 is their effect in accelerating the growth of the trees, 

 particularly in their earlier stages,, and the consequent 

 rapidity in the development of the scenery — a matter of 

 no small importance to gentlemen who msh to see and 

 enjoy the result of their o^vn labours. This effect is 

 generally very marked in the interval between the fifth 

 and fifteenth year from the planting : at a later period, 

 and on good land, it is much less perceptible. 



Trenching is undoubtedly the best means of preparing 

 ground for planting; but as it costs from six to ten 

 pounds sterling per acre, it is too expensive to be ex- 

 tensively adopted. As a substitute, we have found a 

 method of deep ploughing, particularly on grass lands, 

 to be very useful. Two ploughs are required for the 

 operation, which closely resembles subsoil ploughing. 

 A deep furrow is first drawn. The first plough next 

 skims off some two or three inches of the tm^f and soil, 

 turning it over into the open furrow. The second 

 plough then follows in the same furrow as the first 

 plough, covering the turf v^iih four or five inches of soil, 

 and stirring the land to the depth of seven or eight 

 inches. By this means the soil is well pulverized, and 

 the turf is so buried as to ensure its rotting, and thus 

 affords an excellent manure for the trees. The expense 

 is about twenty-four shillings per acre. 



Draining of wet land is essential to successful planting, 



