96 



AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



How to Make Curves and Grades 



One of the first problems for the beginner in landscaping 

 is how to lay out any proposed change that he wants to 

 make. It is quite likely to involve the construction of a 

 curve, a rectangle or a grade. A poorly constructed curve 

 will spoil the looks of any job. But you can easily get it 

 true and of pleasing form by the following simple method: 

 Get a piece of heavy twine — or better, a long rope — and a 

 supply of short, pointed stakes, preferably of even size 

 and length. Mark the ends of the proposed curve and two 

 or three points between, and put in stakes. Go along the 

 line again, putting stakes where you judge the curve should 

 come, and then true the hne until the position seems about 

 right. Set your rope round the outside of the curve and this 

 will bring out more clearly any imperfections. The rest of 

 the job will depend upon the person using the edger. 



How to Make a True Grade 



To make a true square corner of a flower bed, croquet 

 ground or tennis court, you must use a little simple arith- 

 metic. Mark out two lines form- 

 ing the comer, getting one as 

 nearly perpendicular to the other 

 as you can by guess-work. Now 

 measure off accurately from the 

 exact corner six feet on one line 

 and eight on the other; if the 

 length of the straight line be- 

 tween them is ten feet the angle 

 is accurate; if not, move one line imtil the points are ex- 

 actly ten feet apart. 



To make a true grade you will first have to determine the 

 form you want by making a sketch on paper. Draw a 

 straight line between the highest and the lowest points, 

 divide it into a number of equal spaces and measure the 

 distance, to scale, between this straight line and the curve 



