Levelling a Lawn 
3 feet above the existing level at that point. Using the 
straight-edge and spirit-level, place a number of pegs 
in all directions, 10 feet apart level with this. All 
that is now required is to commence digging at the 
upper end and filling the soil to the top of the pegs at 
the lower. As the soil will be placed loosely at first, 
it should be trodden down, to prevent, as far as pos- 
sible, settling when the turf is laid. The top soil 
should be removed and kept to place on top again. 
When the ground is levelled it may be necessary to 
introduce drainage. This can be achieved by laying 
diagonally across the ground agricultural pipes of 3 
inches diameter, in trenches dug not less than 12 nor 
more than 18 inches deep. A light dressing of manure 
can be given to the lawn, and it can be either turfed or 
sown as circumstances permit. If sown, the finished 
level should be previously broken down very finely and 
well raked, and sufficient time given for settling to take 
place, so that any hollow places can be filled in before 
sowing. If turfed, the straight-edge and spirit-ievel 
should be constantly used whilst laying the turf to see 
that the varying thicknesses of the turf do not upset 
the general level. 
In excavation, banks will be created. These can 
be dealt with either by creating dry walls to retain the 
upper level, which are an added attraction, as they 
offer facilities for growing Alpine and creeping plants 
therein, or the banks can be turfed. This latter 
method is the less desirable as it makes a great deal 
of clipping and trimming necessary, takes up more 
space than the wall, and robs one of the chance of one 
of the daintiest forms of floriculture, ‘‘wall gardening.’’ 
rae 
