45 



found more preferable by some. The soil being prepared, the 

 next thing is to understand what manures are best and least 

 expensive. 



The cost of trenching the ground in the manner prescribed 

 will be $100 per acre, but a great portion of the trenching can 

 be done with a subsoil plow ; and a great portion of the park 

 being wooded, would still further diminish the cost. 



There being about one hundred acres on the park which 

 will require trenching, the total cost of this work will be less 

 than $7,000. 



PLANTING. 



The planting of the grounds necessarily preceded by drain- 

 age and the fertilization of the soil, is also so dependent for 

 effect upon all the other improvements, that it should be almost 

 the last step in the progress of the work. The very large por- 

 tion already wooded will obviate in a great measure the 

 expense which would be otherwise incurred in supplying trees, 

 essential to the completion of the landscape. The trees already 

 in the grounds will require very judicious treatment, not only 

 to bring them to a normal degree of perfection, but to open 

 the necessary views through them. A very bad practice re- 

 sorted to by the neighbouring residents for a long time — that of 

 gathering the fallen leaves in autumn for making compost — 

 has deprived the soil of a large amount of the essential ingre- 

 dients of fertility, and the trees of the food necessary to their 

 very existence. This will have to be remedied immediately by 

 incorporating manure and vegetable mold with their soil and 

 around their roots. All of the planting which it is proposed 

 should be done at this time is around the border. This may 

 consist of every variety of trees and shrubs, forming of them a 

 nursery of young trees around the exterior line and along the 

 sides of Flatbush avenue, which, in the progress of their growth 

 and development, may be transplanted to the points where 

 effect is required. Upon the proper conduct of this portion of 

 the work depends the artistic character of the scheme. The 

 method pursued in planting may mar the beauty of an other- 

 wise perfect plan, and the closest study will be required to 

 maintain the unity and harmony of the design. By a judicious 

 selection of trees, and by their arrangement into groups with 



