316 OKKAMEJ^TAL GARDENING. 



smaller places trenching with the spade takes its place. 

 Figure 124 shows how this operation is done. First, the 

 surface soil occup}dng the space A, to the width of about 

 six feet across the plot is thrown out entirely, and the 

 subsoil underneath, a, is turned with the spade at the 

 same time, working some manure into the subsoil. Then 

 the section of soil of space B is thrown over into space A, 

 and the soil of space b now brought to light, is treated as 



Fig. 124.— TRENCHING. 



that of a was. This w^ay of procedure is foUow^ed with 

 successive strips across the entire ground. The opening 

 remaining at the end after the other side is reached, is 

 filled up with the soil first thrown out. 



FINAL SHAPING OF THE SURFACE. 



Shapeliness of the surface is one of the distinguishing 

 marks of a good garden, be it even, crowning, or undulat- 

 ing as to the top. In going over the grounds to apply 

 the final touches, a careful eye to observe the work of 

 evening-up, is in many cases all that will be needed. But 

 where the eye cannot be trusted, or if great precision is 

 desirable in the final contour, then a line and stakes for 

 small grounds, and regular levelling instruments for 

 large ones will be needed. 



In using the line and stakes for this purpose, in com- 

 mon sized lots, first drive a stake at each corner of the 

 lot, a, J), c, (I, in figure 125, and corresponding ones at the 



