3498 



WALKS 



WALKS 



grounds a full circuit should be devised, or else no path- 

 scheme laid out at all. When crossing a vista, as is 

 often necessary to secure directness or continuity, the 

 path may be graded lower to obscure its course (Fig. 

 3978), or it may be of an inconspicuous material such 



ABC 

 3977. Forms of stone paths of a gardenesque appearance. 

 A, grass or flower joints; B, cement joints; C, cobbles and stones 

 in cement. 



as a blue slate, brown stones, or dark stepping-stones 

 with grass joints (Fig. 3973). 



The materials of such lawn-paths may be simply of 

 turf when passage is through woods or meadows. This 

 latter charming device is secured by mowing a strip 

 through the longer meadow grass and daisies. Macadam 

 or gravel is usually the method of construction. 



For crowded parks, the 

 width should be 8 to 12 

 feet or more. The con- 

 struction may be heavier 

 by 2 inches, and special 

 care given to drainage. ~ 

 Oiled macadam, valuable 



3978. Walk crossing a lawn in slight depression for concealment. 



an informal lawn, or an irregularly curved and planted 

 road through a formal place. 



As elements of beauty, roads are tolerable only as 

 they serve their purpose thoroughly well. This pur- 

 pose may be a service-way to the kitchen, when 

 directness is the first consideration; or to the front 

 door, when good views of the house and lawn may 

 warrant more indirectness; or a pleasure-drive, where 

 directness is lost sight of, and good views, interest of 

 scenery, and gradient become all-important. Success 

 in laying out driveways depends on skill in applying 

 the principles of landscape design, with a true regard 

 for grades and excellence of construction. Mere 

 engineering skill will not attain good private or park 

 drives, for part of the function of such roads is to 

 harmonize as far as possible with the other elements 

 of the created or natural landscape. 



Practical reasons urge a principal entrance toward 

 the most-used corner of the property. As far as pos- 

 sible, the natural inclination for "short cuts" should 

 always be recognized. Neither straight lines nor tire- 

 some turnings are estheti- 

 cally pleasing; grades must 

 be considered and fine 

 existing natural features, 

 trees, rocks, and the like 

 usually avoided. The 

 driveways should com- 

 mand interesting views 

 ahead and to the side and 

 attract attention to hand- 

 some plantings in the 

 curves. The curves should 

 always be directed toward 

 and not away from the 



3979. Transition of grades. Method of sighting by 

 stakes and twine. 



for roads, is not suitable 

 for paths unless top-sur- 

 faced with fine screenings 

 to prevent tracking the 

 oil. 



Asphalt paths are some- 

 times used and are best if 



the residuum used in the flux of the surface coat be 

 reduced to the minimum in order to leave as hard a 

 pavement as possible. Concrete is being more gen- 

 erally used because of its wearing properties. It should 

 be colored with red ochre, and lamp-black to destroy 

 the usual whiteness of cement surface. These walks 

 may be constructed in the usual way (8 inches cinders, 

 3 inches concrete, 1 inch ce- 

 ment float), except that the 

 surface should be rough finished 

 neither troweled nor rolled. 

 Wing walks at each side of the 

 cement may often be provided 

 to good advantage. They are 

 2 to 4 feet wide, made of 4 

 inches of gravel (or crushed 

 stone) laid upon 6 inches of cinders or broken stone. 



Drainage should be provided for all paths. Brick, 

 asphalt, or cement walks should be crowned in the 

 center or on the high side. Three-fourths of an inch is 

 sufficient for an 8-foot cement walk. At each side, or 

 at the upper side at least, of paths on a slope, drainage 

 should be provided by sod gutters. These will carry 

 the surface water to park inlets which discharge into 

 sewer lines. 



Driveways. 



If walks and drives were not necessary to a human 

 use of the informal type of landscape, they would 

 never be put into it. Drives should be regarded as 

 secondary, not primary elements of beauty in this 

 style of gardening and they should remain unobtrusive 

 by direction, width, and material. But as the landscape 

 becomes more formal, drives become increasingly 

 important and prominent in the design. It is simpler 

 to plan a straight avenue in the formal balanced lawn 

 of a house with terrace and gardens in a straight line 

 swung on evident axes than to observe the indefinite 

 lines, the less apparent unity and balance of informal 



gardening and incorporate therein a wide roadway. 3980. Planting of curves, and free views. Entrance at right angle 

 A straight formal drive should not be intruded through to highway. 



objective point, and circuitousness for sake of adding 

 mere length to the approach should be avoided. 



To be comfortable as well as practicable, the gradient 

 should be as low as about 6 per cent (6 feet of rise in 

 100 of length), at turns never over 7 per cent, although 

 10 or 12 may be required elsewhere to accomplish the 

 ascent. Transition from one slope to another must be 

 carefully arranged so as to 

 avoid sharp jolts (Fig. 3979); 

 this is accomplished by filling 

 the hollows or cutting off the 

 crests where the grades reverse. 

 There should always be a flat 

 place in front of doors and 

 at entrances. Road-curves 

 should be long, at least 

 equal to 60 feet radii. It is an advantage to plot the 

 curves at least roughly upon the ground first and 

 transfer them to paper rather than vice versa, as their 

 true artistic and practical [effect may be perceived 

 better. Long stakes should be used to aid the sight or 

 a coil of rope laid upon the ground, and moved about 

 until the desired line is attained, then the rope staked. 



