THE LAWN 



over thoroughly with, first, a heavy hoe to break 

 apart the lumps, and then an iron rake to pul- 

 verize it. 



I say nothing about drainage because not one 

 lot-owner in a hundred can be prevailed on to go 

 to the trouble and expense of arranging for it. 

 If I were to devote a dozen pages to this phase 

 of the work, urging that it be given careful atten- 

 tion, my advice would be ignored. The matter of 

 drainage frightens the home-maker out of under- 

 taking the improvement of the yard, nine times 

 out of ten, if you urge its importance upon him. 

 If the location is a rather low one, however, it is 

 a matter that ought not to be overlooked, but it 

 is not so important if the lot is high enough for 

 water to run off speedily after a shower. If any 

 system of drainage is arranged for, I would ad- 

 vise turning the work over to the professionals, 

 who thoroughly understand what ought to be 

 done and how to do it. This is a matter in which 

 the amateur must work to a disadvantage when 

 he undertakes to do it for himself. 



If there are hollows and depressions, fill them 

 by levelling little hummocks which may be found 

 on other parts of the ground, or by having soil 

 drawn in from outside. In filling low places, 

 beat the soil down solidly as you add it. Unless 



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