372 THE PLEASURE, OR [APRIL 



and the blades open and are withdrawn, leaving the ball to be filled 

 around with earth. 



Fig. 36 shows a modification of the above instrument, wherein 

 the blades are opened by moving the slider a upwards, and when 

 thrust down around the plant, the blades collapse by pressing the 

 slider downwards. The operation, afterwards, is the same as in Fig. 

 35. 



Upon the same principle, but with much more mechanical inge- 

 nuity, is McGlashan's transplanter, Fig. 37, constructed, which is 

 admirably adapted to such operations. These three collapse upon 

 the ball firmly and not only that, by their construction they em- 

 brace it tighter at the bottom than at top, rendering it next to im- 

 possible that the ball should be extracted, and, also, that it cannot 

 slip out afterwards until relieved by the removal of the pressure upon 

 it. All these transplanters are merely modifications of Fig. 38, long 

 used in France for similar purposes. Its principle will be readily 

 seen by the figure. The handles, a a, are pulled outwards when the 

 blades are thrust into the ground. They are pressed inwards when 

 the operation of lifting upwards is desired. 



GRAVEL WALKS. 



New gravel walks may be made any time this month ; in the mak- 

 ing of which, be very particular in the choice of good and suitable 

 gravel ; as to color, you must be governed by fancy and convenience, 

 but as to quality, it should be coarse and lively, containing a due 

 proportion of light sandy loam to make it bind close and firm at all 

 seasons ; but not so redundant in loam or clay as to stick to the feet 

 in wet weather, nor so sandy, as to become open and loose in dry 

 weather. As to the dimensions and distribution of gravel walks, 

 see page 77, &c. Agreeably to the designs there laid down, or to 

 any other fancy of your own, stake out the width of the walk, and 

 proceed to level the boundary on each side, corresponding to the ad- 

 jacent ground, and form the cavity of the walk for the reception of 

 the gravel, observing that the whole space, to make a permanent and 

 good walk, should be dug ten or twelve inches deep, to allow for a 

 proper depth of gravel, both to prevent weeds rising from the ground 

 below, and worms from casting up the earth therefrom ; and also to 

 allow a proper depth for turning the gravel occasionally, when the 

 surface becomes foul : the earth dug out from the cavity of the walk, 

 may be used to raise and level any hollow parts on each side, or con- 

 tiguously situated, which, with the edgings, if of box, should always 

 be completed before you begin to lay the gravel. 



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

 bish, such as brick-bats, small stones, &c., for several inches deep in 

 the bottom, which will greatly obstruct worm casts, drain off any 

 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 ; and as you proceed in laying, observe to rake off the coarse 

 parts into the bottom and to raise the middle of the walk higher 

 than the sides in a gradual rounding form, just as much and no more 



