Report of Mr Donaldson, agricultural surveyor, on the state of Hyde Park : January, 1849.

  • London (England). Metropolitan Commission of Sewers.
Date:
[1849]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of Mr Donaldson, agricultural surveyor, on the state of Hyde Park : January, 1849. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1/8
    FOR CONSIDERATION OF WORKS COMMITTEE.] f iilctrojjoUtan Having had occasion to consider and report upon the condition of the Parks as to drainage, I now beg leave to submit some points as to their appearance and culture. The herbage (in Hyde Park) appeared in November very different to what it was in the early part of the summer, particularly where the clay subsoil lies near the surface. In the spring and early summer months, the coarser grasses natural to wet land, predominate, obscuring those of better quality, which, having been nearly destroyed by the wet state of the ground during winter and spring, then appear to disadvantage, but growing up again during the summer give the herbage a better appearance and quality. Much attention has evidently been devoted to the production of a good admix¬ ture of grasses, but the state of the drainage on those parts of the Park alluded to has had the effect of destroying the good which has been done on the surface. The parts, to which these remarks have reference, are that part of the Park along the north of the Serpentine, and a part lying between the Magazine Barracks and the Powder Magazine. Were the more valuable description of grasses preserved in a healthy condi¬ tion during the winter, little more would be required to insure a verdant and abundant herbage at all times; and a few deep drains, well placed, would tend greatly to effect that purpose. The description of manure now applied to the Parks consists principally of road-scrapings and sweepings, which no doubt has a good effect, though more calculated to add to the body of the soil than to act upon it as a manure ; but with a thorough and efficient drainage, whatever manure may be requisite could be readily and economically'supplied from the sewer which runs through the park, and the growth of the timber, as well as the appearance and value of the herbage, may be greatly improved thereby. It may, perhaps, be worthy of consideration, whether the appearance of the Parks might not be greatly improved by mowing, instead of depasturing the herbage. By mowing it once a fortnight or so, a more verdant and even surface would