(_A_) Lower the height about 8 inches; throw the earth forward. Dig a trench as indicated in the figure. (_B_) Make a loophole in the pile of earth, showing oneself as little as possible. Improve the firing position by making a place for the right leg and an elbow rest. Examples of hasty shelters (individual) arranged behind a large stone or heap of stones. A heap of stones, the top of which is 1 foot at a maximum above the ground: [Illustration: Plate 27j.--First period.] [Illustration: Plate 27k.--Second period.] GENERAL ORGANIZATION OF NATURAL COVER This consists in connecting up and coordinating the individual work under the direction of the squad commander. The work should be carried out on the lines adopted for the individual work and the rules prescribed for the construction of artificial cover (profiles, depths, various shelters) should be followed as far as possible. In arranging the cover, the squads should utilize the natural features of the terrain. [Illustration: Plate 27l.--Arrangement for a mound of earth.] [Illustration: Plate 27m.--Arrangement for a dry ditch.] [Illustration: Plate 27n.--Arrangement for a sunken road defended on the side towards the enemy.] [Illustration: Plate 27o.--Arrangement for a sunken road defended from the rear.] Ditches full of water, drains, streams: [Illustration: Plate 27p.--Arrangement of a large ditch.] [Illustration: Plate 27q.--Arrangement of a ditch full of water.] Ordinary roads, road and railroad embankments, and sunken roads: [Illustration: Plate 27r.--Arrangement of an ordinary road defended on the side toward the enemy.] [Illustration: Plate 27s.--Same defended from the rear.] [Illustration: Plate 27t.--Road embankment, defended from the rear.] [Illustration: Plate 27u.--Arrangement of a railroad embankment.] [Illustration: Plate 27v.--Arrangement of a sunken road.] Hedges and woods: Dig a trench behind the hedge and throw the earth against it; make openings in the hedge to facilitate view and fire (Plate 27w). If the hedge is low, deepen the trench, but make the parapet lower than the hedge which masks it. [Illustration: Plate 27w.--Arrangement of a hedge.] [Illustration: Plate 27x.--Arrangement of the edge of a wood.] Avoid destroying the natural appearance of the wood; do not cut the trees and brush on a certain depth, but cut off branches where necessary to obtain a field of fire. Behind this strip cut the brush and small trees so as to make a path 3 to 4 yards wide. Construct a trench behind the mask of trees. The parapet can be raised up to 2 or even 3 feet. Construct abatis on the parts of the border of the wood, where it will not interfere with the fire. Walls: [Illustration: Plate 27y.--Arrangement of a wall 2 feet 8 inches high.] [Illustration: Plate 27z.--Arrangement of a wall 8 feet high.] [Illustration: Plate 28.--Arrangement of a wall more than 8 feet high without making loopholes.]