78 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



tate in ; but with a well-made walk we have only to scatter a little 

 bright and fresh gravel on the surface, previously loosening it 

 slightly, and it is restored to its former beauty. I have long discon- 

 tinued the old practice of breaking up the walks deeply ; and the 

 more ancient one of leaving them roughly broken and exposed to 

 the frosts, snows, and rains of winter cannot be too highly depre- 

 cated. 



Asphalte and paving have both been recommended for forming 

 garden walks, but I think there are few persons who would not 

 prefer the bright warm colour of good gravel, where it can be pro- 

 cured. I have been in the habit of forming a sort of concrete with 

 the gravel we get here, which answers well ; it is well watered and 

 rolled to the consistency of puddle when wet ; it is afterwards 

 allowed to dry, and sets as hard as a rock, the first shower of rain 

 restoring it to its natural appearance. 



Walk-making, if well done, is very expensive, of course varying 

 with the facility of obtaining fit materials ; so much depends on 

 their proximity to the scene of operations, or having to be carted 

 from a distance, that perhaps no two places would come under the 

 same estimate. Both walks and roads should be made upon the 

 same principle — that of preserving a moderately thick stratum of 

 angular materials from absorbing the surface water ; and yet so 

 little is this understood that thousands of tons of stone are yearly 

 thrown into deep trenches, to form, as it is supposed, the founda- 

 tions for roads and walks, while at the same time they, instead of 

 supporting them, secure the most effectual means of making them 

 unstable and rotten. Let a dry surface be obtained — if not naturally, 

 artificially ; and cover it with a thin coat of such material as will 

 keep it so. 



In the present depressed state of the agricultural interest, this 

 may be worth the consideration of such of oar friends of that class 

 as purpose making road3 ; because, the principle admitted, must 

 cause a much less quantity of ponderous materials to be procured 

 and hauled than is usually done in forming farm roads ; and as 

 economy is the order of the day, this is one item in which a saving 

 of outlay may be made where such labour is necessary. Whether it 

 be in an approach road to the residence of a gentleman, or upon his 

 farm, or in his garden, nothing is more satisfactory than well-kept 

 roads and walks. 



In the wilder scenes of nature we can admire rugged and irre- 

 gular paths, but in what immediately relates to the comfort and 

 enjoyment of the family of the man of wealth and taste, we look for 

 perfection, as far as it is attainable by human means. 



