. The century book of gardening; a comprehensive work for every lover of the garden. Gardening. THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. with pig-manure, stable dung from where peat moss litter has been used, and otherwise assist in retaining more moisture. For although a lawn must never be wet and sodden, it must not become dry and parched. A very shallow soil, such as is often found above sand, gravel, and chalk, needs a good layer of stiff loam, and to be treated the same as advised for a light and quickly-drained soil. The most unsuitable soils are those very shallow ones found upon a gravelly or ch
. The century book of gardening; a comprehensive work for every lover of the garden. Gardening. THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. with pig-manure, stable dung from where peat moss litter has been used, and otherwise assist in retaining more moisture. For although a lawn must never be wet and sodden, it must not become dry and parched. A very shallow soil, such as is often found above sand, gravel, and chalk, needs a good layer of stiff loam, and to be treated the same as advised for a light and quickly-drained soil. The most unsuitable soils are those very shallow ones found upon a gravelly or chalky subsoil, and where water is almost always present. The first have been dealt with, but the last must be assisted by good drainage. DRAINAGE.—Rather than put in deep drains at considerable distances apart, use several ift. to i8in. below the surface. The cost is rather less, both for labour and pipes. How close, and also how deep, these drains should be made depends entirely upon the nature of the soil, and whether in a low or somewhat raised position. It is in late autumn and early spring, especially the latter, that a lawn is very wet. If sodden, moss grows freely, strong-growing water grasses seem certain to develop, and the lawn is of little use, even in midsummer. On the other hand, many lawns are over-drained. If the situation is at all raised, or upon a natural slope, no drainage will be needed, even should the soil be stiff and heavy ; but where a level portion is to be made upon such a slope, due care must be taken that the rush of surface water from above is carried away to the sides, otherwise a heavy shower will soon turn the lawn into a miniature pond. It is not necessary that pipes be used. A drain can be cut out 2ft. or so in depth and tilled in with six or more inches of broken bricks, or other coarse rubble. In the case of pipes being used, be sure that there is at least a fall of iin. in 6ft., and place a shallow layer of broken rubble over the pipes bef
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectgardening, bookyear19
