CONSTRUCTION DETAILS— THE LAWN 15 



MAKING THE LAWN 



THE lawn or greensward is the ground or "canvas" upon which 

 the picture is to be produced. It is, in effect, the carpet of the 

 outdoor living room, and it is therefore of prime importance that it 

 should be as perfect as possible. A poor greensward will mar an 

 otherwise good picture; and on the other hand, a good sweep of green- 

 sward wiU detract attention from a mediocre planting. The care in 

 making and maintaining the lawn should therefore be in keeping with 

 its importance. 



DRAINAGE 



On the average small property underdraining is rarely necessary, 

 but all low-lying places should assuredly be properly tiled. First of 

 all, a good outlet must be located, such as a ditch or creek, or even the 

 sewer. The mouth of the drain — that is, the end tile — should be placed 

 about two feet above the mean water level in the outlet (Fig. 12). 

 From this point the drainage system should be laid up to the head or 

 highest point touched by the drain. Three-inch tile is sufficiently 

 large for almost any work, and it should be laid about three to three 

 and one-half feet deep, following the lowest land. Generally one 

 central line with laterals is all that is necessary, but where an extensive 

 operation is needed the main lines are placed as near together or as 

 far apart as the conditions warrant. 





3a-r-^ac:.<2- 



Fig. 1 1.— If the grade must be raised about a valuable tree that it is desired to save, make 

 a "well" of bricks or large stones around the trunk to prevent smothering it 



