WALKS AND LAWNS 33 



if they betray signs of too constant attention their sur- 

 face smooth, the grass edges rigorously trimmed, 

 and evidences of the line, shears and roller everywhere 

 apparent. A prim pathway would be a sad eyesore on 

 the ragged face of the hillside, the mountain track 

 equally ridiculous winding among shaven lawns and 

 glowing flower-beds. It is often necessary to effect a 

 satisfactory transition between these two styles, and this 

 can only be done by means of a well-marked boundary. 

 Either a broad hedge, a small gateway, or a short per- 

 gola may be depended upon in most instances to render 

 the passage from one to the other free from incongruity. 

 Two walks should never be seen running parallel to one 

 another for any considerable distance ; one or other is 

 almost sure to appear needless. If the second path is a 

 necessity, it should be screened from its fellow by suit- 

 able planting. In the same way, the junction of two 

 distinct paths should be so arranged that there is no 

 reason to suppose that either one or the other is super- 

 fluous. Repton's ideas on this and kindred matters 

 relating to walks are worthy of study and imitation. 

 He makes it a rule that in the case of two walks branch- 

 ing of? from one another, each should take a decided 

 outward turn, as though there were no possibility of 

 their meeting again. 



Paths which lead "nowhere" are usually a failure, 

 and we can most of us recall the annoyance experienced 

 after following a walk for some distance only to find 

 that it ended in a cul-de-sac. If such arrangement be 

 necessary, as it sometimes is, some compensating in- 

 fluence should always be provided at the end. A small 

 summer-house, a curved seat and sundial, a well grown 

 tree inviting rest and shade beneath its branches any 

 of these will remove the pointless appearance. 



There are absolutely no rules regarding the formation 

 of serpentine walks, unless they be those of a negative 



