558 



On sloping land, drainage is not of great importance as water 

 soon drains off, but on level land or where tennis courts are being 

 formed and a dead level is required thorough drainage is necessary 

 before anything else is attempted. On a gravelly subsoil fewer 

 drains will be required and in a few cases where the soil is exception- 

 ally sandy and gravelly dispensed with altogether, but as a general 

 rule surface rubble drains 18" x 18" at intervals of 8ft. should be 

 made. The best material for these drains is rough laterite, ashes, or 

 stone as large as apples. Any other material that is easily obtain- 

 able locally can be used. Broken brick-bats form very good drain- 

 age material when procurable. 



When the drains have been filled to within 6 inches of the top 

 the various levels of the surface should be taken and marked and the 

 whole changkolled over a foot or more deep and as evenly as 

 possible. If the soil is of good quality there should be no difficulty in 

 doing this or in the after formation. When the soil is poor and 

 sandy the addition of some of better quality with the addition of some 

 well-rotted cow manure is advisable. 



In low or wet situations, it is sometimes necessary to raise the 

 level of the surface. This is best done when the drains are being 

 laid. Stiff clayey soil should not be used for this purpose as it pre- 

 vents the free passage of surface water to the drains underneath. In 

 very wet places it may be necessary to have the drains as close as 

 6ft. apart and in such cases when it is desired to raise the level of 

 the surface a good plan is to put down a layer of 6" or more of fine 

 ashes between and over the drains ; roll well to prevent subsidence in 

 places and add a top layer of fine rich earth on which to plant the 

 turf. 



The condition of a lawn, court or green throughout the year 

 greatly depends on the depth and quality of the soil underneath and as 

 the formation of such is generally considered permanent it is import- 

 ant that the utmost care is given to its composition. After-results 

 will repay any extra care and expense that has been incurre i 



In cases of very poor soil it sometimes pays to trench the entire 

 area to the depth of the subsoil adding manure and richer soil and 

 removing a corresponding quantity of the original earth. 



Having thus dug the soil all over alike and roughly levelled it, 

 it should be left for a few days exposed to the weather in order to 

 render it solid and ready to tread down in preparation for seed or 

 turf whichever may be chosen to plant. 



Turf is more satisfactory in this country but care must be taken 

 in choosing the proper kind. 



Previous to planting, the soil should be trodden down firm, raked 

 lightly over and made as level as possible. Turfs g" or 12" square 

 should then be planted, not too deeply, regularly at 6" apart over the 



