THE season being at hand for the execution of ground-work in the improvement of new places, we have thought that a few hints might be offered on the subject not altogether unprofit-ably. Wherever we look, we see elegant and costly dwellings surrounded by incomplete, neglected grounds, looking precisely as though the proprietor had spent his last dollar on his buildings. One reason for this, is our universal hurry. No sooner do we decide upon the erection of a 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 dispatch; 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 the buildings. The builder's 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 severely taxed, and the gardens and grounds stand a poor chance for their appropriate share of attention. Another reason still, is that the proper preparation of ground for gardens, lawns, and plantations, is neither well understood nor appreciated.

Most people seem to imagine that a team with a plow and a scraper can do all that is necessary; and so the ground is plowed and scraped and levelled, and it is then ready for planting. Now this will never do; such a system, or rather such a course, is not only disgraceful but unprofitable, because people who plant in such ground soon find out their mistakes, and are compelled to correct them in a very disagreeable and costly way.

We therefore beg gentlemen who are about fitting up country or suburban residences not to overlook the improvement of their grounds 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 a firm purpose to do whatever be done thoroughly. Determine at the outset to be patient, 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 grading or leveling, draining, trenching, and manuring. When we speak of leveling, or grading, we do not wish to be understood as supposing that every one will cut down all the natural undulations of the surface, for this would, in many cases, destroy some of the finest features of the ground; but there are on almost all new places certain abrupt or broken spots that must be brought into a proper shape by grading. This is more particularly the case in small places, where a broken surface is not allowable to any considerable extent Now, when laborers are directed to grade a piece of ground, their common method is to draw off the surface with a scraper into the lowest parts until the leveling is accomplished, leaving the ground in a state totally unfit for the growth of either trees or grass; and that, too, even after a great amount of labor has been expended in replacing the surface. We can at this moment point to multitudes of gardens, and to many important public grounds, ruined by this ignorant process. The true way is, to throw all the surface soil that is worth saving on one side, remove the subsoil to the proper depth, and then to replace the natural surface.

Draining is not absolutely necessary in all cases, but yet there are few in which it can be entirely dispensed with. There can be no healthy or luxuriant growth of trees or plants where there is stagnant mositure in the soils. The common opinion is, that draining is only necessary when water lodges on the surface; but this is a great error, for many soils that appear perfectly dry on the surface stand in the greatest need of draining. A stiff clay subsoil, or a mixture of sand, clay, and gravel, almost as hard as iron, holds water like a basin, and the ground, although apparently dry on the surface, becomes sour, and bakes together in a solid impervious mass. Beside, it is unhealthy to live in the neighborhood of wet or badly drained soils, and unpleasant to cultivate them. Perfect drainage is one thing indispensable, and fortunately the means of doing it are within every one's reach. Where stones abound these may be used; otherwise, tile, which is now manufactured extensively in many parts of the country.

We advise every one who has grounds to improve, and desire full and reliable information on the subject, to refer to the reports of Mr. T. G. Yeomans, of Walworth, N. T., or Mr. John Johnson, of Geneva, to the New York State Agricultural Society.*

Next to draining comes the process of deepening by trenching or subsoil plowing. This is an operation of the utmost importance in all soils and situations. In this country we are subject in summer to severe protracted drouths, during which trees, plants, or grass, on a shallow soil can barely sustain a feeble existence. In small places trenching is preferable, and for the fruit and kitchen garden we would recommend it in all cases. It is the true way to give the soil a thorough and permanent deepening. It is not merely an additional depth we gain by trenching; it also enables surplus moisture to pass off freely into the drains, and keeps the soil sweet and porous. Scarcely a day passes that we do not see or hear the most conclusive evidences in favor of trenching. A short time ago a gentleman said to us, "I have made up my mind that it is perfectly idle to attempt making a lawn, or to expect a luxuriant growth of trees in untrenched soil. I have tried to do it for seven years, and during all that time had the mortification to see my grass nearly die out every summer, and the trees grow by inches instead of feet." He finally made up his mind to try what effect trenching would have, and has now the satisfaction to see his trees grow vigorously, and his lawn as green as emerald in the dryest times, "Now," he says, "I advise every man to trench." Every experienced cultivator knows well the advantages of a deep soil.

No where is its effects more obvious than on the lawn* In our own grounds one portion of a small plot was trenched deeply before it was seeded, and it rejoices in the deepest verdure in all weathers; another portion was not trenched, and when a month or six weeks of dry weather comes, as it did this season, it turns as brown as sole-leather.

• See Transactions of New York State Agricultural Society.

Trenching with a spade to the depth of eighteen or twenty inches is somewhat costly, and, therefore, when a large tract is to be improved, the subsoil plow can be used. This answers every purpose, unless when the ground is so stony that it is impossible to keep the plow in the ground. The proper way to subsoil effectually is, to have the common plow go first and turn over a deep and wide furrow; then let the subsoil follow with not less than four horses or oxen. In preparing stiff soils we would advise two such plowings as this, one crossing the other; and it should be done late in the autumn or early in spring, while the subsoil is saturated with moisture: at a dry season of the year it is impossible.

Next comes manuring; and in this let there be no stinginess. Whoever contemplates the improvement of ground should begin early to prepare manures and composts, for this can not be done in a few days or weeks. It should be prepared a year before-hand, so as to be well decomposed and thoroughly mixed in order that it may not fill the land with all manner of noxious weeds. We would spread it over the surface and plow it down in the autumn at the first plowing, so that it might be properly incorporated with soil during subsequent working. • The needful quantity of manure will, of course, vary according to the natural fertility and condition of the soil. In some cases, two inches deep spread evenly over the surface may be sufficient; in others, twice that would scarcely suffice. At all events, be liberal.

Our purpose at present is not so much to treat of these primary ground-works through the detail of practice, as to urge the necessity of making them the foundation of all improvements. We hope we shall never again hear it said, "I will plant my trees now and improve the ground afterwards, as I have leisure." Would it not be as wise to say, " I will erect my house now, and hereafter, when I have leisure, I will dig the cellars and construct the foundation ?"

There is now a great and greatly increasing desire for rural homes. Hundreds are leaving the crowded cities and selecting homes for themselves and families in their suburbs. As our railroads increase, and furnish better facilities for communication between town and country, we may expect this state of things to continue. It is important, then, that the few simple truths we have stated be well understood. The pleasure of a surburban dwelling depends materially on the comfort and beauty which the gardens and grounds afford; and when they are neglected, or so mismanaged as to afford neither beauty or comfort, the great aim of rural life is lost The growth of taste will, we trust, soon bring about a state of things in which men will not spend ten thousand dollars freely on a house, and one hundred dollars grudgingly on the garden.