30 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



Many persons with a quick eye, trained to detect un- 

 evenness of surface or irregularity and unsymmetry of 

 form, can obtain very good results without the aid of any 

 instruments, but the majority will be obliged to call to their 

 aid at least the carpenter's or mason's level and more or less 

 small stakes. With this instrument resting on a box or 







FIG. 8. ILLUSTRATING METHODS OF OBTAINING GRADE. 



block with a broad base, one may obtain the levels at 

 important points on the ground, and then by stretching 



FIG. 9. ILLUSTRATING METHODS OF OBTAINING GRADE. 



strings from stake to stake, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, easily 

 judge of the comparative height of each point, and make 



