STRUCTURES IN LANDSCAPE 227 



indirectness of paths, if it has some ostensible reason, is not of serious 

 moment. Even here the paths should seem to lead somewhere, almost 

 never making a dead end, or, when they do, terminating at some im- 

 portant object. 



A path, being essentially long in comparison with its width, serves 

 rather as a boundary between two masses than as a mass in itself. It 

 is rare, therefore, that a path, unless it be very broad, can be placed on 

 the axis of an open design : its effect is quite likely to be that of splitting 

 the design into two parts. Where there is shrubbery or flower planting 

 of some height on the sides of the path, however, the axis of the view 

 may lie on the path if it be properly terminated by some sufficient 

 feature. Where a path outlines a grass panel or forms a pattern with 

 a number of flower beds, the width of the path must be studied in its 

 relation to the whole design, so that there may be no ambiguity as to 

 what relation was intended; so that, for instance, the scheme shall 

 appear as an interesting network of gravel paths running through an 

 interesting design of flower beds, rather than as a group of flower beds 

 set down in an expanse of gravel. (For examples of paths in formal 

 design, see Plate 30, Tailpiece on p. 23, Drawing X, opp. p. 80, 

 Drawing XI, opp. p. 82, and Drawing XX, opp. p. 158.) 



The materials chosen for the construction of roads and paths will Materials 

 have a very considerable effect on their color and texture and on the j^p^^'^j. 

 definiteness of their outline. In the case of equestrian traffic in parks 

 and large private estates, since in any case a softer footing than that 

 of a paved road is desirable, it may be possible, without making any 

 considerable change in the surface of the ground, to construct a way by 

 which horsemen may go from point to point. By careful choice of 

 the gradient of the ground and by choosing and cutting a sufficient 

 open lane among the trees, the way may be made good enough for a 

 gallop without depriving the rider of the sensation of going rather 

 through a natural landscape than along a designated path. If there 

 is so much riding that the natural surface is badly torn up, some treat- 

 ment of the ground with tan bark or some similar substance may im- 

 prove both the safety and the appearance of the path. 



For light-traffic roads and for paths, gravel, having the advantage 

 of cheapness, has also the advantage of offering a wide choice of texture 



