THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF THE TENNIS COURT 



should be of first consideration. It may be simply 

 a plain, well-drained dirt court, a hard, fine clay 

 court, or a closely trimmed turf court. It may have 

 an enclosure of the simplest form of open-mesh 

 chicken-wire, or an elaborate pergola and trellis 

 arrangement for the back net. It may be situated 

 on a broad terrace, with flower-bordered walks con- 

 necting it with the garden, and a tea house invitingly 

 situated at the end of a vista, where it will add to 

 the decorative scheme. Whether it shall be a dirt 

 or turf or clay court will depend largely upon the 

 locality in which it is situated. A well-laid clay court 

 is usually given the preference where the right qual- 

 ity of clay can be obtained without too much expense. 

 There is a combination of gravel and clay in the 

 New England states which is known near Boston as 

 "binding gravel" (consisting mainly of gravel with 

 just enough clay to make it pack hard) that forms 

 one of the best and most durable surfaces. Lacking 

 the clay and gravel soil, a good turf court can always 

 be depended upon when well laid. 



In England the grass or turf court is the favorite. 

 No expense is spared to have the deep, rich soil so 

 thoroughly trenched in its preparation that there is 

 no danger of the grass dying out and the turf becom- 

 ing inferior. Abundance of water is considered an 

 important factor and it is necessary for us to give 



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