128 JOTTINGS OF A GENTLEMAN GARDENER 



The Real Ash Path : Next comes the important matter 

 of making it properly, so that it will last for many years. 

 For this purpose the soil should be dug out to the depth 

 of 2 ft. and wheeled away. If it is of good quality it will 

 be useful for potting purposes. Now obtain a quantity 

 of rough rubble, such as broken bricks, stones, burrs, 

 etc., and put i ft. of this material into the bottom of the 

 path. On the top of this put about 9 ins. of smaller 

 rubble, broken up if necessary with the coal hammer, so 

 that no pieces measure more than 2-3 ins., and distribute 

 it evenly over the whole surface of the path. Over this 

 spread 3 ins. of furnace ash, which has been screened so 

 that all pieces larger than a cubic inch have been removed. 

 This should be spread evenly and then well watered and 

 well rolled. 



The ash may need renewing every two or three years, 

 but the other part of the path will last for an indefinitely 

 long period. Ash paths are very serviceable and har- 

 monises well with flower borders. 



The Gravel Path : The gravel path is so much more 

 often seen. The unsightliness of red gravel has already 

 been pointed out. Grey gravel is the best to use, but 

 pulverised limestone (sometimes sold as gravel) is quite 

 useful and pleasing. The white " spar " found in Derby- 

 shire is generally too glaring for use, and the yellow " spar " 

 looks out of place. 



The foundation of a gravel path should be the same as 

 that of an ash path, namely, 12 ins. of rubble. There 

 should be 6 ins. of smaller stone, 3 ins. of very coarse 

 gravel, and 3 ins. of finer gravel. Roll well. The same 

 proportions hold good for limestone chips paths. 



Allied to the gravel path is the sand path. This is not 

 a good path. It is made by putting 12 ins. of rubble and 

 3 ins. of finer stone into a trench 16 ins. deep, and covering 

 with i in. of fine sand. 



Asphalt, Concrete, and Cement Paths : Asphalt and 

 tar paths are ugly, and although serviceable and useful, 

 they are expensive to lay. It is better to get proper 



