LAYING OUT GROUNDS AND CLEARING LAND. 
Any one reading the title of this chapter might think that I 
had put the cart before the horse, but I feel satisfied that the 
two headings have been placed in their proper sequence. It is 
customary in Florida when making ready to build a home to 
clear out all or nearly all the vegetation on the land and then 
plan for roads, paths and general planting. I believe it to be 
the part of wisdom to carefully study one’s land and location 
from every direction for a considerable time, if possible, before 
beginning the labor of clearing. One should know his land as a 
pilot knows his river before commencing work and he should 
have a tolerably clear idea of what he wants to do. 
It is an excellent plan to construct a light, cheap, portable 
frame or scaffold so that one can get up on it to a height of 
twelve or fifteen feet above the ground level. This may be 
built of 1 x 3 strips, with cross pieces and braces and pieces 
nailed on for steps, so that one can mount to the top of it. It 
can be set where one thinks of placing his house and from the 
top of it he can form an idea of what kind of views he will have 
from his windows. Two men should carry it about and by its 
aid one can form a far better idea of the lie of his land, of what 
will make a fine vista and what is likely to be unsightly, than 
he could at ground level. 
If convenient, the site chosen for the dwelling should be on a 
slight elevation; certainly it should not be in a depression, and 
if one is compelled to locate in such a place the house should, by 
all means, be set up high enough so that the surface may be 
filled into a level. If there are unsightly objects in the view it 
should be so placed that they may be screened out by plantings 
of quick growing trees. If there are fine views set the building 
so that they may be seen from the windows. It will be found 
well worth while in many cases to devote considerable time 
and study to the selection of the site, for a mistake made in this 
matter cannot be remedied. 
Most of the homes in Florida must be located on pine land, 
I 
