CONSTRUCTION DETAILS 9 



standpoint. It is preferable to set the house a reasonable distance 

 back from the street, allowing in front a good sweep of lawn that can 

 be planted artistically, as the true entrance of the home should be. 

 Furthermore, it is most advisable that the kitchen side be nearer the 

 property Une than is the case with a house in the center of a lot. 

 This allows a good garden and private lawn area, and reduces the 

 service yard to its proper proportions — which is the minimum area 

 that permits of maximum service. 



Clearing the Land 



PRESUMING the property in question to be covered with under- 

 growth, brush, and trees of all sizes, it will have to be cleared. 

 After locating the spot for the house, the best trees, standing in 

 approximately the right places (see page 55) should be marked that 

 they may be protected against damage. The same may be done with 

 existing shrubbery. All other plant material should then be cleared 

 ofif, not by simply cutting it off, but by taking out the entire root 

 systems. All small bushes can be grubbed out by hand, but if the 

 bushes are large and vigorous, they will have to be pulled out with 

 horses and a chain, the latter to be wrapped several times around the 

 bush. Larger trees can be first cut down to four or five feet, then 

 dug around and pulled out with a block and tackle fastened to a large 

 tree. (But be sure to protect this anchor tree from injury.) 



Old stumps that cannot be taken out in this way can be blasted 

 with dynamite. When using dynamite it is advisable to cover the 



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Fig. 5.— If the old sub-grade pitches toward the 

 house, water will usually find its way into the cellar 

 unless extra precautions are taken. Often the sub- 

 grade can be leveled up by filling in with stiff clay 

 or other impervious material, as shown here 



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