38 



ON THE MANAGEMENT 



stone, which is the central point for drawing off 

 the water from the surface of the whole. 



The ground should be made complete some 

 months before it is capped with gravel, as it will 

 settle very considerably ; and, during the time of 

 settling, boards should be laid over it for persons 

 to walk upon, when they are to give air to the Hot- 

 house, &c. since, otherwise, the ground would 

 be trodden down unequally by their going over 

 it. Your ground being now complete, by allowing 

 proper time to settle, let the whole of the surface 

 be pointed over with a spade to the depth of three 

 or four inches ; and at the same time add fresh 

 compost to make up the deficiency of its settling. 

 Then tread it firm, and rake it smooth, and lay 

 the gravel about two inches thick upon every part, 

 except the very places where the Vines are to be 

 planted. Tread also the gravel, and rake it smooth ; 

 after which a light roller should be run over it ; 

 and thus the whole busines of the preparation will 

 be finished. However, I shall just add, that if the 

 gravel were made fine, and afterwards divested of 

 the sandy particles, which may easily be done by 

 twice screening or sifting, it would make the walk 

 in the front of the Hot-house both neater and 

 better ; for when the gravel is of a sandy nature, 

 it is not only inclinable to grow soft in a wet season, 

 but the small particles of it are also liable to be 

 blown upon the xoof of the Hot-house in dry windy 

 weather. 



