94 GARDEN PLANNING 



Gravel Paths — Much depends upon the 

 quality of the gravel. There are gravels which 

 are little better than shingle, being almost or 

 entirely devoid of binding material. Gravels 

 of this kind will never make a firm path, and 

 a path of loose pebbles is objectionable on 

 account of the liability of the smaller stones 

 to be carried on to the grass. 



After staking out the course of the path, the 

 soil must be excavated to a depth of twelve 

 inches, or until a firm bottom is reached, and 

 taken bodily away. The trench must then be 

 filled in with rubble, brick rubbish, or other 

 light material, to provide drainage and to en- 

 sure a firm foundation. 



Over this may be put a layer of shingle or 

 coarse gravel screenings, say three inches thick, 

 which should be formed with the rake to a 

 curved surface or camber in cross-section. The 

 gravel may then be evenly distributed over 

 the surface to a depth of from two to three 

 inches, care being taken to keep the line of its 

 crown straight in the direction of the path's 

 length, but preserving the camber of the layer 

 beneath. After liberal watering the roller 

 should be put to work. The free use of water at 



