60 GRAVEL WALKS. [March 



time having put them to the test, they are found unfit for 

 walking among or using in any manner, almost for one-half 

 of the year ; therefore, not answering the purposes intended. 

 They require great attention to keep them in order; and if 

 not always neat and clean, they are a disagreeable object in a 

 garden ; but, when they are well dressed, their effect is very 

 enlivening. Where they are desired, prepare the ground as 

 above directed ; making the walk a little higher than the 

 adjoining borders, to prevent the earth from being washed on 

 it by the rain. Allowing the walks to be six feet wide, make 

 the centre five inches higher than the sides, or about seven- 

 eighths of an inch to the foot, whatever the breadth may he, 

 which will form a gentle declivity to throw off the rain. 

 When laid, beat and roll it well ; cutting the edge neat and 

 even. Water frequently, if the weather sets in dry. To 

 keep grass-walks or plats in order, they should be mown once 

 every three or four weeks, from May to September, and the 

 grass each time swept clean off. When the gra,ss is allowed 

 to get long before being cut, the roots become tender, and 

 die when exposed to the sun ; at last the grass is all in spots, 

 and in another year requires to be relaid. 



GRAVEL WALKS. 



A practice once existed of turning these into heaps, or 

 ridges, during winter, to destroy weeds, &c. But this has 

 almost been given up as unnecessary, unsightly, inconvenient, 

 and not doing any material service. 



Where the surface of these has become foul, irregular, or 

 mossy, they had better be turned over four or five inches 

 deep, where the gravel will admit of it; but if not, hoe and 

 rake them perfectly clean, give a new coat of gravel, and pick 

 up any stones that you think too large ; then give them a 

 good rolling, applying it frequently after showers of rain. 

 When they are well attended to just now, they will look well 

 all the season ; but if neglected, they take more labour, and 

 are never in such good condition. 



Fancy-edgings of Thyme, Thrift, Lavender, and Violets 

 ^Daisies may be used if the situation is shaded). The whole 

 of these may be planted by the line with the dibber except 

 Thyme, which laj as directed for Box. See this month, 



