134 GARDEN DESIGN 



and bottom, and batter absolutely true. In 

 forming the banks the best way is to make a 

 wooden frame to work the soil against, for the 

 least bulge or hollow spoils the appearance. 

 Except in quite light soils a run of land drains 

 should be laid at the foot of the bank from 2 to 

 2j ft. deep, to drain away the soakage of water 

 through the bank. 



The steps are an important part of a terrace, 

 and offer great scope in their treatment. The first 

 consideration is to provide easy walking. From 

 ii \ in. to 12 in. tread, and 6 in. rise makes 

 the best proportion. Rise and tread multiplied 

 together should be between 70 and 80 in. Thus 

 5 in. rise would give a tread of 14 or 14^ in. ; 6 in. 

 rise a tread of n in. or afoot. Below 4 and over 

 7^ in. steps cannot be made comfortable for use or 

 appearance. The proportion of rise to tread may 

 be obtained without the full occupation of space 

 by having the steps " nosed." This affords more 

 width to one tread without encroaching on the 

 tread below, and in a long flight of steps an inch 

 or i gained on every step is worth something 

 on the total flight : moreover " nosed " steps always 

 look well. The dimensions given above do not 

 apply except to steps in conjunction with walls. 

 Steps occurring to break long sloping paths may 

 be made with any tread that is required, care being 

 taken to make each tread definitely for an exact 

 number of strides, taking a stride at 30 in, 



