8 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



DRAINAGE. 



Any spot of ground where the water, from melting snow 

 or spring rains, lingers on the surface far into April, is too 

 wet for a garden, and must be drained. Any spot where 

 the water even lingers just under the surface for some 

 time after it has disappeared from the sight is also unsuit- 

 able. To ascertain this, dig a small hole three feet deep. 

 If water gathers in it during April, or after a rain-storm, 

 drainage must be resorted to before planting. No plant, 

 nor animal, can live in health, with its feet continually wet. 

 A water-soaked garden will bring death to the flowers, and 

 consumption to the gardener, in one short season. 



now TO DO IT 



is a very perplexing question. Every garden has some 

 peculiarity that must be taken into account in preparing for 

 proper drainage. In a very small garden a few holes about 

 the size of a flour-barrel, and well filled with loose stones, 

 over which brush and the surface soil are spread, will an- 

 swer the purpose. Still better, have a trench, at least three 

 feet deep, made, so arranged that one end is lower than the 

 other, and placed so that the water can escape. Fill it one- 

 third full of stones. Over these place the soil. In the 

 garden described, the barrel-holes answered every purpose. 

 Should these not carry away the water, consult an expert, 

 and have this most important work done properly. In this 

 whole matter, it must be kept in mind, that while all gar- 



