LAYING OUT GROUNDS. 35 



a drain to the suspected spot. If the springs be numerous, drains 

 should be constructed in proper directions ; and if there be an 

 abundant discharge of water, substantial drains must be formed 

 of brick or stone, as an effectual discharge to all obtrusive 

 springs. 



Having cleared the surface of all superabundant water, the appli- 

 cation of materials to correct and improve the quality of the soil must 

 be considered. Clays of every description are the worst soils for 

 gardens : some clay is so tenacious and hard, that it is extremely dif- 

 ficult to subdue it; other kinds are so poor, they absorb whatever 

 manure is applied, and being retentive of wet, impede and destroy 

 vegetation ; the compressed and solid masses they form render the 

 soil impervious to the fibrous roots of plants. Sand is the best cor- 

 rective of clay, and sea-sand, if it can be procured, is preferable, 

 as it possesses in some degree calcareous matter and saline pro- 

 perties. 



Chalky land is generally dry, and may be improved by the appli- 

 cation of marl, or loam and manure. In the use of marl, it is im- 

 portant to ascertain what proportions of clay, sand, or calcareous 

 'earth it contains, as on that must depend the quantities of the cor- 

 rective to be applied. 



liight, open, and poor grounds, may be improved by the intro- 

 duction of rich loam and rotten manure, with occasionally a portion 



