18 PRACTICAL LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



and gives the established grades for the same. It shows in a con- 

 crete form the scheme devised for the grading and lawn making, the 

 proper preparation of all portions on which turf is wanted. The 

 gardens are located, grades established, enclosures and architectural 

 features, such as fountains and pools, provided for. Questions of 

 drainage are carefully considered and taken care of; also the water 

 supply for lawns, gardens, fountains and pools. In fact, all the 

 physical features are provided for and specified so that estimates 

 for the whole or for any part of the work may easily be secured. 



To prepare a grading plan there must first be a simple survey 

 of the property. The map of the survey should show the property 

 lines and existing features, such as large trees, buUdings, roads, if 

 any, all in their true relative dimensions and positions. 



In connection with this survey levels should be taken showing 

 the existing contours at intervals of from one to five feet, according 

 to the slope of the ground. Also elevations at the base of trees and 

 in the vicinity of buildings, the sidewalk elevation, and the crown 

 of the highway. 



I will not go very deeply into the technicalities of making a 

 survey or of running le^-els. On small properties anyone with a 

 knowledge of simple engineering can get all the data necessary; on 

 larger estates a topographical survey is necessary. 



THE PLANTING PLAN 



The planting plan represents the horticultural and esthetic part 

 of the design. It shows the selection and distribution of the trees 

 and plants, each having a definite purpose and a direct bearing on 

 the whole general scheme. In the making of such a plan all the 

 questions that the reader will find taken up and considered in the 

 chapters on Tree and Shrub Planting, Flower Gardens, etc., are 

 important, and their appHcation is shown in Chapter XI, where 

 many concrete examples will be found. 



