TREATING OF CONTRIVANCE 



dure thus by stakes and lines. Round each plot, 

 and by the eye, level up the ground within corre- 

 spondent thereto, all along in trenching: albeit 

 this is not so proper for courts and grass-plots, yet, 

 as by this means I use to level ground without a 

 level, so do I think this way of finding out the true 

 level, by means of a supposed one, worthy your 

 notice, and if rightly improved, will save you much 

 money and paines. 



Be cautious in founding your walls, lest you un- 

 dermine them in levelling: nor is it convenient 

 sometimes to confine your level to the foundation 

 of walls already built ; for in so doing, you may lose 

 more than it would cost you to cast down and re- 

 build; but in such cases, you may rather build under 

 gradually. 



There are some bad lying plots and walkes, with 

 an ascent at the head, hollow in the middle, and 

 level at the foot; these and the like are very trouble- 

 some to level under one denomination; for the tak- 

 ing down the hill, bares it so, that plants cannot 

 prosper thereon. Some are necessitate to take out 

 the gravel, tile, or stones, so much deeper, and tra veil 

 earth again ; but I rather advise to make terrases : 

 you need not confine yourself to the number of 



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