58 breck's new book of flowers. 



dian file. The main walks should, therefore, be calculated 

 so as to admit two persons to walk comfortably in a social 

 manner, and, if wide enough for a little one in addition, 

 so much the better. From five to six feet will not be too 

 wide for the main avenue. The internal compartments, 

 of course, should have much narrower walks, the Avidth of 

 which must be graduated, in a degree, by the size of the 

 garden. 



The walks of the flower-garden should be constructed 

 of such material as will make firm and dry walking at all 

 seasons of the year. The best walks are composed of 

 small stones, oyster-shells, coarse gravel, or broken bricks, 

 covered with five or six inches of fine gravel. As to the 

 color of the gravel, or coating, you must be governed by 

 fancy and convenience ; but as to quality, it should be 

 coarse and lively, containing a due proportion of light 

 sandy loam, to make it bind close and firm at all seasons ; 

 but not so redundant of loam or clay as to stick to the 

 feet in wet weather, nor so sandy as to be loose and open 

 in dry weather. 



Groimd oyster shells are sometimes used, also granite 

 chips, from a stone-cutter's, which make fine, hard walks; 

 but these substances are too brilliant for the eye in a sunny 

 day, and on that account are objectionable. A redish free- 

 stone color has a better efiect. 



Agreeably to your design, stake out the width of the 

 walk, and 2:)roceed to level the boundary on each side, cor- 

 respondhig with the adjacent ground, and form the cavity 

 of the walk for the reception of tlie gravel, — observing 

 that the whole space, to make a good and 2)ermanent walk, 

 should be dug twelve or fifteen inches deep, to allow a 

 proper depth for gravel, to prevent the weeds from rising 

 from the ground below, and worms from casting up the 

 earth thereof. The earth dug out from the cavity of the 

 walk, may be used to raise and level any hollow j^arts on 



