SUBSOIL AND DRAINAGE. 13 



any excess of water that may fall on the border will 

 descend through the joints of the pavement to the 

 chamber the pipes occupy, from which a drain should 

 be laid down to remove it at once. But where bottom 

 heat is not so applied, and where the subsoil is of a cold, 

 wet character, it must be well drained, so as to prevent 

 the rise of spring water, and to remove all the rain 

 water that percolates through the border. This done, 

 a layer of concrete, 4 inches in depth, should be laid 

 over the whole surface of the intended bed of the bor- 

 der, taking care that it has a slope of 1 inch in the foot 

 towards the front, where there should be a good drain 

 to draw off all water that finds its way to that point 

 from the surface of the concrete, and from the drains 

 under it. On the concrete, as well as on the pavement, 

 when the latter is used, a layer of 4 inches of rough 

 brick-rubbish should be spread, then a course of turf 

 with the grassy side downwards, after which the com- 

 post may be wheeled in to form the border. No rule 

 can be laid down for width of borders ; I think it is 

 ample if the width outside the house is the same as 

 that inside. The depth inside should be 3 feet; im- 

 mediately outside, in front of house, 2^ feet; and 

 at the extremity, 2 feet. A border formed to these 

 dimensions will have a considerable declination to- 

 wards the south, which will enable it to throw off 

 the winter rains better, and during summer it will 

 receive more benefit from the sun's rays than when 

 flatter. 



