Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-11-18
OAK GROVE COTTAGE,
Loudon, Tenn.

! ON THE PREPARATION OF NEW GROUNDS,
! Condensed and adapted to the climate from the
( Horticultwist by WIN. BEAI, for the "Lou-
don Free Press"
The improvement of new places, as regards
the execution of the groundwork is one on
which few hints may be given not altogether
unproftably. Whenever we look throughout
the length and breadth of our country, we see
elegant and costly buildings surrounded by in
complete, neglected grounds, looking precisely
as though the proprietor had spent his last dol
/ lar on his buildings. One reason for this is,
our universal hurry. No sooner do we decide
on the erection of dwelling, than up it goes
| like magic; the finishing stroke is given while
the mortar in the foundation is yet scarcely dry.
! The garden and grounds must be completed
with corresponding despatch; right or wrong, it
must be done quickly or not at all. Another
reason is, that very few people take into account
the cost of improving their grounds in such a
manner as to correspond with their buildings.
The builders estimates alone are looked to; and
by the time the building is finished, with all its
extras, the proprietor'S funds and patience have
both been severly taxed, and the garden and
grounds stand poor chance for their appropri-
ate share of attention. Another reason still, is
that the popular preparation of ground for gar
dens, lawns and plantations is neither well I'M
derstood nor appreciated. Most people seem
to imagine that team with pillow and scra-
ITsTPa OoIl -, nd
ground is plowed and scraped and leveled, and
it is then ready, as supposed, for planting. Now
this will never do; such a course, is not only
disgraceful but Improbable, because people who
plantin such ground soon find out their mistakes,
and are compelled to correct them in a very
disgraceful and costly way. We therefore beg
gentlemen who are about fitting up residences
not to overlook the improvement of their ground
in their estimates-not to regard it as a mere
item unworthy of note, but to count the cost
carefully, and go about the work deliberately,
with firm purpose to do whatever is to be done
Thoroughly. Determine at the outset to be pa
tent and in the end you will secure results that
will be alike creditable and satisfactory
The operations on ground to fit it either for
useful or ornamental gardening comprise gra-
ding or leveling, draining, trenching, and ma
nurlng. When we speak of leveling, or gra-
ding, we do not wish to be understood as suppo-
sing that every one will cut down all the natu-
raj undulations of the surface for this world, in
many cases, destroy some Of the finest features
1 of the ground; but there are on almost all new
places certain abrupt or broken spots that must
be brought into proper shape by grading
This is more particularly the case in small pla-
ces, where broken surface is not allowable to
any considerable extent.
I Now, when laborers are directed to grade a
| pice of ground, their common method is to draw
off the surface with a scraper into the lowrest
parts until the lcveling is accomplished, leaving
the ground in state totally unfit for the growth
of either trees or grass and that too, even after
great amount of labor has been expended in
replacing the surface. The true way is, to throw
off the surface soil that is worth saving on one
side, remove the subsoil to the proper depth,
and then replace the natural surface. Drain
my Is HUI dDSOluteIy HcCeSodiJ III oil Cdocoj DuI
vet there are few in which it can be entirely dis
pensed with. There can be no healthy or luxu-
RANT growth of trees or plants where there is
stagnant moisture in the soils. The opinion
is, that draining is only necessary when water
lodges on the surface; but this great error, for
many soils that appear perfectly dry on the sur
face stand in the greatest need of draining. A
stiff clay subsoil, or mixture of sand, clay,
and gravel. almost as hard as iron, holds water
like basin, and the ground, although appar-
emily dry on the surface; becomes sour, and
bakes together in a solid impervious mass; be-
side it is unhealthy to live in the neighborhood
of wet or badly drained soils, and unpleasant to
cultivate them. Perfect drainage is one t. hing
indispensable, and fortunately the means of do
ing it are within every ones reach.
E,,ono,1fed Printers with nine children are