CHAP. XVIII VILLA GARDENING 129 



outliiie to meet the wants of the cultivator who simply wants a 

 showy bed. To obtain quality of tiower and correctness of mark- 

 ing, too much manm-e must not be used ; still the soil should be 

 rich, mellow, and sweet, and during the growing season the surface 

 of the bed must be frequently stirred. 



CHAPTER XVIII 



Routine Work. — To manage a garden successfully there must 

 be method and routine, for people who do things in a hap- 

 hazard kind of way never succeed, or at least never obtain that 

 full measure of success which is granted to the methodical man. 

 Year after year, as spring follows winter, and summer and autumn 

 complete the circle of the seasons, each period brings its work, 

 which if neglected tends to drive things into a corner, from which 

 there is no extrication without making a sacrifice. Some people 

 think and say that there is not much to do in a garden in 

 winter, but many operations of a preparatory character can only 

 be done profitably at that season. The trenching or deepening 

 of the beds and borders is especially winter work. The trans- 

 planting of deciduous trees and shrubs, the relaying of turf, the 

 making and renewal of gravel walks and roads, and many other 

 ojDerations, can be done better in winter than summer, and have a 

 great influence upon the appearance and comfort of the place. 

 Take, for instance, gravel paths and roads. If in bad condition, 

 the place always wears a neglected look, which nothing can 

 remove till the omission is made good. In some places new gravel 

 comes expensive, but if the worn path is turned over with a steel 

 fork, and a few stones placed beneath the worn place to lift it up a 

 little, the walk will be placed in a condition as good as new with- 

 out any expense beyond the cost of labour. Walks that are 

 turned over annually, if they contain from 4 to 5 inches in depth 

 of gravel, will always be in good repair and have a fresh, bright, 

 clean surface if well rolled when damp. The surface of the path 

 should be put into shape, with the right inclination to throw oft" 

 the rain to the sides, as soon as the gravel has been turned ; and 

 it should be made firm first by treading, afterwards by drawing a 

 heavy roller over it several times, till the whole has become hard 

 and solid. With a little attention afterwards the walks may be 

 kept in good condition, and the weeds in a well-managed walk 

 are less troublesome than when the surface is uneven and damp 

 from wear. Again, routine, or the art of doing the right thing 



K 



