11 



with a tread an inch or two wider, but if the rise is made an inch less, then three 

 or four inches should be added to the tread. Very easy ratios are best adapted 

 to short flights of perhaps only three steps. Of course if longer flights are neces- 

 sary, these may be effectively interrupted by landings, thus permitting the use of 

 the easy ratios with the assurance of satisfactory results. In addition to practical 

 considerations, both steps and walls should receive some thought concerning their 

 decorative aspect. Little or no additional cost will be necessary in order to make 

 these details somewhat decorative and suitable for homes not of an unduly ex- 

 pensive or elaborate nature, and the necessity of this decorative requirement is 

 most plainly realized when it is wanting. It should be noted that walls and steps 

 mark differences in level more noticeably than do turf slopes, and these details 

 should be chosen according to the effect desired. The designing of suitable 

 architectural details requires experience and taste, together with a realization of 

 their importance. 



The drainage problems incidental to irregular lots are very important, although 

 usually they may be satisfactorily handled in a simple way and by means which 

 are both inexpensive and self-maintaining. As the grades are determined in the 

 vicinity of the house, the surfaces should be so moulded as to carry rain water 

 away from the base of a building, and if natural drainage does not produce this 

 result, catchbasins or other artificial means will be necessary. Usually, by the 

 introduction of imperceptible slopes in conventional features, and by slight de- 

 pressions along the edges of lawns and outlying areas, the water may be led away 

 into the plantations or into depressions where it will gradually seep out of sight 

 and follow the underground course of what was originally its natural drainage. 

 If the surface of each area can be drained separately, no great volume of water 

 will collect at any one point, and thus there will be no resultant erosion nor any 

 need of catchbasins and drains. Low-lying areas that are likely to receive the 

 surface flow from adjoining properties should be carefully examined to ascertain 

 whether there will be any danger at flood times, and also whether there is ample 

 drainage by some means of which the rights are protected. A lot with very porous 

 subsoil can have dry wells located at several low points, and thus providing a good 

 drain which requires no future attention and is very inexpensive to construct. 

 In soils which incline to imperviousness, these wells should either be made very 

 large, or else not used at all. If the drainage question cannot be easily solved, 

 one should realize that his best economy is the purchase of some expert advice. 



The reader may not find this discussion of details especially interesting, since 

 it is more than possible that he has not observed these things with an eye sufficient- 

 ly professional to appreciate their purpose. Discussions of this nature are little 

 more than meaningless if they do not recall actual examples, and for a certainty 

 they are abstract without illustration. The purpose of this chapter is not to 

 teach the reader how to design and to carry out plans for irregular lots, but is rather 

 intended to convince him of their possibilities for development and to stimulate 

 his interest and his observation. Ordinarily all these questions are left to the build- 

 er, whose point of view is usually that the best site for a house is that which it is 

 easiest and cheapest to build, necessitating the least excavation for the cellar and 

 the least trouble in making foundations. He gives no thought to questions of 

 appearances beyond the walls of the building. When he has finished, however, 

 the owner alone is left to face the problems, and also the bills, for his mistakes. 



