39 



the tiles, and dig and re-fill the trenches, at the following 

 rates : 



2 inch .... 8,867 rods $9,457 77 



3 " ....5,058 « 7,552 77 



4 " ....1,845 " 3,813 94 



5 " .... 385 " 1,087 87 



6 " .... 752 " 2,675 39 



Total $24,587 74 



To which, adding $2,500 for the brick drains which will be 

 required, and $1,250 for the construction of the proper outlets, 

 would make the probable total cost of the thorough drainage 

 of the park, $28,337 74. As this work should be commenced 

 at once, I would recommend that early steps be taken to place 

 the tile on the ground, when the work maybe done by contract 

 or day's work, as shall be deemed best. 



MANURING. 



To insure that fertility which is absolutely essential to the 

 proper development of vegetation, it is necessary that a suffi- 

 cient quantity of fertilizing matter be added to the soil. 



The soil of the Prospect Park contains an excess of clay, 

 and this clay contains an excess of moisture, the consequence 

 of which is, that in damp weather it is formed into a tenacious 

 paste, from which the water will neither evaporate nor drain 

 off. In dry weather it bakes, becoming an almost solid sub- 

 stance, through which the roots cannot penetrate. In very hot, 

 or very cold weather, it cracks open, either breaking the roots 

 or exposing them. It attracts mechanically the nutritive juices 

 essential to vegetation, and does not part with them to the 

 plants. 



This kind of soil forms, however, a superior basis for im- 

 provement, since, when once thoroughly manured and broken 

 up, it retains its fertility for a long time. Therefore, nothing 

 is required but correct management, to render this the best 

 possible soil for a park. It is of the utmost importance that 

 this branch of the improvements be clearly understood, and 

 properly attended to in the beginning, since it will be impos- 

 sible to improve its fertility from year to year, as is done with 



