62 SUBURBAN GARDENS 
whicn need not then be lowered more than one 
or two steps below the two end portions. Op- 
portunities for charming and interesting effects 
will suggest themselves, if this idea is given 
some attention and its possibilities allowed to 
develop easily, without being overdone. 
When grading or terracing is to be done 
anywhere, go about it in the right way by re- 
moving the top soil first to a depth of from 
six to eight inches — more if this soil is deeper; 
the color will tell you — over the entire area 
to be excavated, and also over the area which 
is to be terraced or ramped or altered in any 
way. Put this in a convenient place where it 
will not interfere with building and grading 
operations, but will be accessible when wanted. 
Then do the work of grading everywhere, 
bringing all levels to within six inches of their 
proposed finished surface. When all this is 
done restore the top soil to the top, spreading 
it evenly and a little deeper than the six inches 
allowed over those areas which have been built 
up, as these will settle. 
I would advise retaining walls of stone or 
brick invariably instead of sloping grassed 
terraces, both for their greater permanence 
and for their superior merit artistically and 
practically. A garden of the before mentioned 
