410 GARDEN PLANNING 



it. Mark the cord with a series of equal divisions with 

 chalk, and from these divisions measure from cord to 

 curve, and set off the measurements in the opposite 

 direction, marking each with a peg, as at E F, &c. Then 

 join these various points with a clean curved line, so as 

 to repeat the curve the reverse way. 



Fig. Ill 



Fig. IV 



Ovals and Ellipses. Using the term "oval" in its 

 true sense of egg-shaped, the following method gives a 

 good result (Fig. III). Stretch cords A B and C D at right 

 angles to each other, and drive a peg at their intersection 

 E, from which as centre describe a semicircle for the wide 

 end of the oval. At points equidistant from E in both 

 directions on the line A B (produced if necessary) describe 

 arcs from the ends of the semicircle to G and F. Join 

 the points F and G, with their respective centre pegs, 

 through the point H, on the line C D, and drive a peg 

 at H, from which as centre describe the arc G D F, com- 

 pleting the figure. The arc G D F will be small or large 

 according to the position chosen for the point H, which 

 must be determined by the eye. The oval thus described 

 is not a recognized geometrical figure, being compounded 

 of arcs of three different radii. A better result is ob- 



