44 Implements. 



with the rest. Figure 15 shows a nice method of placing 

 grade stakes for an undulated surface. A, A,' are two r< >ds of 

 equal length pushed into the soil to the same depth and 

 standing five feet above the surface. B is a measuring r< >d 

 with a sliding cross-piece for a sight or target. Supposing 

 the desired height of the stake at B to be 2 feet above the 

 shaded line, the cross-piece is placed at 3 feet on the meas- 

 uring rod and the stake is driven in until the cross-piece 

 and the tops of the two rods are on the same plane, the 

 measuring rod, as a matter of course, being held vertically 

 on the top of the stake. In like manner any number of 

 grade stakes may be placed. A straight-edge, a plain 

 board of seasoned wood six inches wide and ten or fifteen 

 feet long, is sometimes used in combination with a carpen- 

 ter's level and plumb-line for determining the rise of steep 

 hillsides ; and in practical work, in road-making, construc- 

 tion of bridges and other rustic structures, its use and pur- 

 pose are too evident to need any explanation. 



The garden line is of great practical use in road- and lawn- 

 making, hedge-planting, and drainage work, 

 in laying out and planting beds and borders in 

 the vegetable garden and other parts, where 

 straight and formal lines are required. A 

 plaited hempen cord about a quarter of an 

 inch in diameter and a hundred feet long 

 makes a neat and durable garden line. One 



FIG. 16— THE QAR- . . 



den line. end is attached to a reel, on which it is rolled 

 up when not in use, and the other to a plain iron pin. 



The spade is the most useful implement for working 

 and preparing the soil, and although much work is now 



