LAYING OUT THE FLOWER GARDEN. 59 



each side, or contiguously situated, which, with the edg- 

 ing, if of box, should always be completed before you be- 

 gin to lay the gravel. 



The walks being thus laid out, you may first lay any 

 stony rubbish, — such as broken bricks, small stones, etc., 

 — for several inches deep in the bottom, which will drain 

 off extra moisture, and thereby prevent the surface from 

 becoming mossy or foul ; the proper gravel is then to be 

 laid on, six or eight inches thick. As you proceed in lay- 

 ing, observe to rake off the coarse parts into the bottom, 

 and to raise the middle of the walk higher than the sides, 

 in a gradually rounding form, just as much as is sufficient 

 to carry off the water to each side. 



The proportion to be observed is, — a walk of four feet 

 wide should be one and a half inches higher in the middle 

 than at the sides, and for every foot of increase in width, add 

 one-fourth of an inch to the elevation of the centre. Round- 

 ing the Avalk too much would make it very uneasy to walk 

 upon, and of an unpleasant appearance. No more gravel 

 should be laid in one day than can be finished off and rolled 

 effectually. Clean, hard gravel walks add much to the 

 beauty and comfort of the garden. 



A garden roller is indispensable where there is much 

 extent of walks, and it should be applied as often as once 

 a week, and particularly after a rain. 



PLANTING BOX AND OTHER EDGING. 



The surface of the garden having been levelled, and the 

 walks dug out, according to the plan, and partially filled 

 with stones and coarse gravel, the operator may now pro- 

 ceed to plant the box edgings, or any other plant he may 

 substitute for that purpose, or grass if that is preferred. 



Box, of all other plants, makes the neatest and most 

 ^beautiful edgings. This may be set in September or Octo- 

 ber, but will require protection, as it is very liable to be 



