CHAPTER I. 



GRADING, DRAINAGE AND LAWNS 

 GRADING 



GRADING in any of its forms, involves handling of earth and the 

 shaping of the earth's surface for purposes of construction, drain- 

 age and lawn making. The level or slope given to the earth is 

 known as a "grade". The permanent grade given the surface of the 

 earth, road and sidewalk, is known as the finished or final grade. When 

 a layer of topsoil or some material of construction is to be laid it is 

 necessary to bring the earth's surface to a proper grade to receive this 

 layer. A lower grade known as the "subgrade" is thus established. 



As lawn making follows most grading, there should be due con- 

 sideration for the future lawn in all steps of the work. In excavating 

 for buildings the surface soil should be scraped off and piled where it 

 will be kept free from debris. It is also well to save the topsoil around 

 buildings by scraping it off a few feet from each side, for, otherwise, 

 the refuse and trampling will ruin it for lawn making. Wherever 

 lawns are to be made, the less the soil is disturbed, other than in actual 

 lawn-making preparations, the better. 



All graded surfaces that are to be planted to lawns should have 

 at least four inches of good topsoil on the surface; and a layer of 

 greater depth is desirable. If refuse is used in the backfill it should 

 not come nearer than four feet to the surface. 



Where areas are to be regraded, and cutting is necessary, the top- 

 soil should be slipped off to a depth of eight inches and piled in spoil 

 banks for future use. After the subgrade has been made the same top- 

 soil can be again spread over the area bringing it to the proper 

 grade. Likewise, in making fills, provision should always be made to 

 supply a layer of topsoil to the fill, which can be stripped from the 

 existing ground before the filling is done. If the existing topsoil is not 

 suitable for finishing, the soil should, of course, be secured elsewhere. 



