NEW AND OLD LAWNS. 25 



of the place may be forever marred for this matter 

 really often requires as much intelligence and good judg- 

 ment, a? the construction of the dwelling itself. One of 

 the first conditions of a perfect lawn is, that the land be 

 drained properly either naturally or artificially ; if the 

 subsoil is sand or gravel, so that water can quickly pass 

 through it, then there will be no need for artificial drains, 

 but if there is a stratum of adhesive clay for a subsoil, 

 then drains at every fifteen or twenty feet are indispensa- 

 ble. As the formation of the lawn is the foundation of all 

 subsequent operations, it is imperative that it be carefully 

 done ; for if badly done at first, it cannot be changed or 

 altered, unless to the great detriment of trees or shrubs 

 that have been planted, or flower beds or walks that have 

 been laid ouc. 



The first thing to be done is, to get the ground shaped 

 to the desired grade, taking care in grading that when 

 hills and rocks are removed, sufficient subsoil is also re- 

 moved to be replaced with top soil, so that at least five 

 inches of good soil will overlay the whole in all places, 

 and where trees are to be planted, there should be twice 

 that depth of good soil. When the grading is finished, 

 if the nature of the ground requires it, drains should be 

 laid wherever necessary ; then the whole should be thor- 

 oughly plowed, a subsoil plow following in the wake of a 

 common plow, until it is completely pulverized. A heavy 

 harrow should then be applied until the surface is thor- 

 oughly fined down ; all stones, roots, etc., should be re- 

 moved so that a smooth surface may be obtained. We 

 have used, with great effect and saving of labor, a com- 

 paratively new implement known as the " Disc Smooth- 

 ing Harrow," which fines and levels the land equal to a 

 steel rake ; and whenever large areas are in preparation 

 for lawns, or in fact for any field culture, requiring a fine, 

 smooth surface, this implement will be found to be of 

 great value. 



