9 



remains the same, differing only in degree according to the circumstances. If 

 this scheme of concave grading is applied to a front lawn, the lawn should conform 

 to the same profile for a width greater than that of the house, if not of the entire 

 lawn; but as the borders are reached, the grades may be gradually merged into 

 the conditions on adjoining lots. Perhaps it is safe to say, by way of a specific 

 example, that a house standing forty feet distant from a street and on a level 

 with the sidewalk, may be made to appear somewhat above the sidewalk level if, 

 for a distance of twenty-five feet, the grade slopes downward not more than 

 six to eight inches, is comparatively flat for about five feet, and then rises 

 evenly to the original level of the house front. With a greater distance, of course, 

 these proportions may be exaggerated to produce the same effect. The slope 

 downward cannot be noticeable, however, without disclosing the deception, at 

 least to a degree. 



When the house stands considerably below the level of the street, a concave 

 profile is usually desirable. This conformation makes for more spaciousness in 

 front of the building, and also affords it good drainage, as well as a slightly ele- 

 vated platform on which to stand. Under these circumstances the house is sure 

 to appear at a higher elevation than it actually is. Further, if the situation calls 

 for conventionality, this effect may be increased by the construction of a formal 

 terrace at the low point, thus making a still steeper slope to contrast with that of 

 the gradual segment. By this scheme, the ground between the top of the terrace 

 and the face of the house can be apparently level. In all cases the ground should 

 slope away from the house sufficiently to insure satisfactory drainage. Walls 

 and steps substituted for formal terraces about houses produce similar effects 

 with respect to elevations. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that the ter- 

 minals of a concave profile are not only in effect raised, but also appear to recede. 

 Thus a house with its front lawn graded in this particular form of concavity will 

 appear not only higher than it is, but also farther back from the street. Looking 

 from the house toward the street, if the concavity is but slight, there will be no 

 noticeable difference; but in case of marked differences in level, there will be 

 some foreshortening. 



While a concave lawn is pleasing in itself, quite irrespective of the effects it 

 produces, for a house already sufficiently high above the street an even slope 

 from the sidewalk to the house, becoming slightly more level as it approaches 

 thereto, should be adopted. The slope from the sidewalk to the house should, 

 in most cases, be from 2^/2 to 3 percent, and in the case of slopes which are one 

 or two feet in excess of this, a filling of the lawn to produce a convex profile with 

 the major part of its slope at the front line will restore the normal appearance. 

 A convex profile generally tends to lower the terminal, and the greater part of the 

 steepness resulting must usually be nearest the point of view, thus in some cases 

 requiring steps. This modeling is not a very pleasing one, however, although very 

 common. Further, it tends to foreshorten in a reverse direction from that of 

 concave profiles. Houses standing at an elevation very high above the street, 

 however, have no alternative but to adopt this form of grading. Excessively steep 

 embankments may sometimes be planted in a manner to soften the effect and even 

 to make the abruptness less noticeable. Usually medium and low-growing shrubs 

 are combined with species of vines, which all grow together and form an unbroken 



