THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF THE TENNIS COURT 



gradually seep through, the joints. On the other 

 hand the gate valve will be valuable in very wet 

 weather, when it may be left open to allow the tiles 

 to act as drains. 



The best laid tile and the most perfect system of 

 irrigating will not secure good turf, however, unless 

 the soil is deep, rich, and carefully prepared to 

 insure permanency. 



Deep ploughing is usually considered sufficient 

 preparation of upturned soil for the court with a 

 good quantity of rich manure ploughed under. In 

 England the spade is considered better for fine deep 

 soil preparation, either for the gardening or for 

 growing thick green turf. They claim that the tennis 

 court prepared by hand is always best because the 

 spading is more thorough. 



What is known as " trenching " is a system of 

 court preparation still more strongly recommended. 

 The practical English court builder begins by digging 

 a trench at one side of the space to be occupied by 

 the court. He then removes earth adjoining the 

 trench, filling the first trench with the earth taken 

 from the second, and thus continuing across the 

 court. 



This system is practical in any section of the 

 country where there is a good rich soil to a depth 

 of a foot apd a half or two feet. Where there is 



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