APRIL.] FLOWER-GARDEN. 351 



walk, and proceed to level the boundary on each side, corresponding 

 to the adjacent ground, and form the cavity of the walk for the re- 

 ception 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 there- 

 from ; 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 contiguously situated ; which, with 

 the edgings, if of Box, should always be completed before you be- 

 gin to lay the gravel. 



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

 bish, such as brick-bats, small stones, Sec. 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, as is sufficient to carry off the wet to each side. The 

 proportion to be observed is, a walk of four feet wide should be one 

 inch and a half higher in the middle than at the sides, and for every 

 foot after, that such increases in width, add to this a quarter of an, 

 inch for the centre elevation. Rounding the walk too much would 

 make it very uneasy to walk on, and of an unpleasing appearance. 

 Never lay more in one day than you can finish off and roll effectually. 

 Gravel walks should now, if not done in March, be broken up and 

 turned ; for such turnings will not only destroy weeds and moss, 

 but will render them much more agreeable to walk on ; besides, 

 the fresh and lively surface, will be sightly and pleasing. 



Before you begin to turn the gravel, the edges of the walks, if 

 of grass, should be first neatly dressed with an edging-iron such 

 as described in page 70 ; or, if planted with box, they ought to be 

 handsomely trimmed with garden shears : any borders near the 

 walks should be neatly dug, and the surface raked smooth ; for 

 when the edges and borders are put in proper order, they add 

 much to the general neatness. Proceed then to dig the walk five 

 or six inches deep, or whatever depth the fine gravel will admit of, 

 turning the surface clean to the bottom, and the fresh gravel below 

 to the top, rounding and dressing the walk neatly after you, and 

 rolling the whole effectually when done. 



In turning or laying down gravel-walks, always chose dry wea- 

 ther, and let the work be done in the most complete order ; as these 

 contribute very materially to the beauty of the whole garden. 



Roll the walks once a week regularly, after being either turned 

 or new laid ; such will render them firm and neat, and also greatly 

 prevent the growth of weeds. It is a general rule among neat 

 gardeners, who are allowed sufficient help, to roll and sweep the 

 gravel-walks every Saturday. During the summer, it is of much 



