CHAPTER IX 



THE MAKING OF PATHS 



Qualities of a Path. 



THERE are some special qualities which all paths should 

 possess before they can be considered to have fulfilled 

 their purpose. A path should at all times be firm and 

 dry, giving comfort to the tread in all weathers, clean, of 

 sufficient width, and built of material which, in construc- 

 tion and upkeep, have due regard for economy. Unless 

 all walks possess these attributes, they are in some way 

 wanting. We will now examine the means of securing a 

 good walk, and the keeping of it in that condition. Pre- 

 vious mention has been made as to the width of a walk, 

 which should, whilst being sufficient for all practical pur- 

 poses, be proportionate to the size of the place. In a 

 pleasure ground the walks should be winding, but there 

 must be some apparent reason for this wandering from the 

 straight line. To make a path take a zigzag course with- 

 out some apparent reason, gives an idea of stupidity to the 

 whole concern. A tree, a bank, a belt of shrubs, a rockery, 

 an arm of water, and many other devices may be put in 

 the ground for the purpose of lending colour to the neces- 

 sity of giving the walk a serpentine outline. Two illustra- 

 tions (Figs. 40 and 41) are given to show where these 

 conditions are absent, and how they may be put in, the 

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