III. 



THE PLAN. 



EFORE beginning the work of improving the 

 home lot, some definite plan of grading and 

 planting should be adopted. The system of 

 drives and walks must be determined upon, 

 the character of the soil and surface noted, and all unsightly 

 objects removed. 



Be the grounds ever so small, steps should be taken to 

 improve them in the best possible manner, and it is always 

 prudent to ask the advice of a professional landscape 

 gardener. There should be no hesitancy in investing a fair 

 amount for the improvement of the home surroundings, 

 and all investment of this kind will raise the value of the 

 property far above the actual cost. 



If the place is large and the ground greatly undulated, a 

 topographic survey of the whole will be of great service in 

 designing and laying out the garden. This is especially 

 necessary if the landscape architect employed has no oppor- 

 tunity to supervise the work personally, but must convey 

 all the necessary information in an intelligible manner in 



the plan and specifications. Even for small places a plan 



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