Levelling a Lawn 



3 feet above the existing level at that point. Using the 

 straight-edge and spirit-level, place a number of pegs 

 in all directions, 10 feet apart level with this. All 

 that is now required is to commence digging at the 

 upper end and filling the soil to the top of the pegs at 

 the lower. As the soil will be placed loosely at first, 

 it should be trodden down, to prevent, as far as pos- 

 sible, settling when the turf is laid. The top soil 

 should be removed and kept to place on top again. 

 When the ground is levelled it may be necessary to 

 introduce drainage. This can be achieved by laying 

 diagonally across the ground agricultural pipes of 3 

 inches diameter, in trenches dug not less than 12 nor 

 more than 18 inches deep. A light dressing of manure 

 can be given to the lawn, and it can be either turfed or 

 sown as circumstances permit. If sown, the finished 

 level should be previously broken down very finely and 

 well raked, and sufficient time given for settling to take 

 place, so that any hollow places can be filled in before 

 sowing. If turfed, the straight-edge and spirit-level 

 should be constantly used whilst laying the turf to see 

 that the varying thicknesses of the turf do not upset 

 the general level. 



In excavation, banks will be created. These can 

 be dealt with either by creating dry walls to retain the 

 upper level, which are an added attraction, as they 

 offer facilities for growing Alpine and creeping plants 

 therein, or the banks can be turfed. This latter 

 method is the less desirable as it makes a great deal 

 of clipping and trimming necessary, takes up more 

 space than the wall, and robs one of the chance of one 

 of the daintiest forms of floriculture, "wall gardening/* 



