Roads and Paths 89 



Finally, I may remark that for the subsoil of 

 a road sand is the best ; even swampy ground is 

 better than heavy, impenetrable clay, which will 

 not allow water readily to pass through. 



If, later on, depressions and bad spots show 

 themselves, these need only to be picked up, 

 freshly spread with coal ashes, builder's waste, 

 and gravel, and be well pounded. In very bad 

 weather, especially in spring, the earth that has 

 been loosened by vehicles should be scraped off, 

 and as soon as dry weather sets in the yearly 

 quota of gravel should be spread over, the river 

 running through my park conveniently furnish- 

 ing the necessary material. 



The chief rules for roads are thus limited to 

 the following: — 



( 1 ) Lay them out so that they lead insensibly 

 to the finest views. 



(2) They should form an attractive and prac- 

 tical line. 



(3) They should divide the spaces through 

 which they run into picturesque sections if those 

 spaces are visible in their whole extent. 



(4) They should never make a turn without 

 the requisite obstacle that necessitates it. 



(5) Finally, they should be well constructed 

 and should always be hard, smooth, and dry. 



I am convinced that whoever accuratelv fol- 

 lows these rules will not be dissatisfied with the 

 result, and if the locality is at all favorable, the 

 expense will be found to be considerably less 

 than, perhaps, is expected. 



