CHAPTER III 



Economical Grading 



The Contour — Rolling or level surface — Preferred exposure — No 

 model grade — Making the most of the offscape — Scope for the 

 artist — The routine of the work — Marking roads and paths — Re- 

 pairing the grade— Levelling made easy — Filling around trees — 

 Underdrainage and its purpose — Importing top soil — Dangers 

 involved. 



The ideal lawn, except it be less than a 

 quarter of an acre, is of a gently rolling con- 

 tour, rather than a perfect level — Nature does 

 not, as a rule, lay down her surfaces in ab- 

 solute levels. She does so in a bog or with 

 water, but surely, we do not wish to create 

 the impression that the spot selected for our 

 country home has characteristics in com- 

 mon with these. We do not want the im- 

 pression that the site is low lying and damp. 

 The slightly rolling contour obviates this, 

 and, further, it is pleasing to the eye in a 

 variety of ways. It facilitates the future 

 planting and enables the landscape picture to 

 be more harmonious, better balanced. 



The very small lawn, however, had perhaps 



