58 COME INTO THE GARDEN 



garden, where gravel or grass walks — preferably 

 the latter — are possible, any rise where steps 

 ordinarily lead from one level to the other af- 

 fords an opportunity for a ramp. 



A grade of from thirty to thirty-five or -six 

 per cent, is the best, this being comfortable of 

 ascent and easily established and preserved. 

 That is, there should be an advance horizon- 

 tally of three feet or thereabout for every foot 

 of rise. And although this takes up more space 

 than steps in order to reach a given height, it 

 is space that can usually be spared without ap- 

 preciable disadvantage. Sometimes lawn the 

 entire width of a porch may effectively be 

 ramped up to the porch floor level and the porch 

 steps eliminated altogether. Opportunities for 

 charming and interesting effects will suggest 

 themselves, if this idea is given some attention 

 and its possibilities allowed to develop easily, 

 without being overdone. 



When grading or terracing is to be done any- 

 where, go about it in the right way by removing 

 the top soil first to a depth of from six to eight 

 inches — more if this soil is deeper; the color will 

 tell you — over the entire area to be excavated, 

 and also over the area which is to be terraced or 

 ramped or altered in any way. Put tliis in a 

 convenient place where it will not interfere with 



