62 HOW TO MAKE HOME 



GRADING. 



Befoie any planting is done the grounds should be 

 properly graded. After the rough work is finished, good 

 results are obtained in the following manner. Provide 

 plenty of stakes and a strong linen cord. Drive a stake in 

 each front corner so that the top of each stake is just six 

 inches above the proposed grade at that point. Stretch 

 the cord across the tops of the grade stakes. A cheap, 

 heavy cord will sag or be blown by the wind, while a 

 light, strong, linen cord may be drawn so it will not sag. 

 Bring the grade to the desired height about the under- 

 pinning of the buildings. Allow for settle about two 

 inches. Roll down. Drive stakes every ten feet, 

 around the buildings. Cut a notch in them six inches 

 above the finished grade. Drive stakes every ten feet 

 along the front line, cutting a notch at the height of the 

 line. Stretch a cord from a stake near the building to the 

 one opposite it on the street line. Provide every work- 

 man with a stick six inches in length. With a rake, level 

 the lawn so that the soil is just six inches below the line 

 as shown by the measuring sticks. Rake off the high 

 places and fill up the hollows. Move the line from one set 

 of stakes to another until the grading is complete. Roll 

 the lawn. This usually shows low places, places which 

 may have been graded well but the soil was soft or filled 

 beneath and settled more. Rake down high places to fill 

 low places and roll again. The lines may be put on 

 again to verify the grade. For a perfect lawn continue 

 rolling and filling up the depressions until perfectly 

 smooth. Then rake it lightly and sow lawn grass seed 

 thickly broadcast over the surface. In localities where 

 the soil is light or sandy and where seasons may be dry 

 and the sun very hot causing the lawn to burn, better 

 results may be had by sowing the seed with a seed drill, 

 putting the seed three to five inches deep. Good blue 

 grass lawns may be had in the South by deep seeding. 

 I^awns seeded in this way in good soil do not burn in 



