DRAINAGE. 



207 



short-lived, and unproductive trees, bearing ill-favored 

 fruit — a state of matters, however, not unfrequently 

 seen in gardens of considerable pretensions, though 

 surrounded by well-drained fields. Why such evident 

 negligence should be permitted or overlooked, it is hard 

 to say. 



Note. — In relation to thorough drainage of spongy, 

 springy, or dishing lands, Americans have almost 

 every thing to learn. The tile-draining system of 

 Great Britain has lately been introduced into America 

 with marked effect. Agricultural lands have been 

 doubled in their productive value by the simple and 

 comparatively cheap process of draining ; and no gar- 

 den, orchard, or ornamental grounds requiring it, can 

 give satisfaction so long as drainage is necessary. 

 "We commend this subject particularly to all those 

 whose grounds are not entirely free from superabun- 

 dant moisture. — Ed. 



Soil. — It has been said above that the soil of a 

 garden should be naturally good ; perhaps, however, 

 this property, which is by no means unimportant, 

 should g:ve way when necessary to the considerations 

 formerly adverted to, and to a desirable position in 

 tne park. There are few situations in which good 

 soils can not be formed by artificial means ; but there 

 are some subsoils which can not be sufficiently dried 

 and warmed by any amount of drainage ; and there 

 are sometimes good soils whose accompanying disad- 

 vantages in site and position can scarcely be remedied 

 or modified by any expedient. Gardens on such un- 

 tractable sites may be seen on the level grounds by 

 the sides of lakes or streams. In these the soil may 

 be excellent, while the subsoil is incurably damp. 



