118 FORMATION OF GARDENS. 



our reason for adverting to a matter which is apparently irrele- 

 vant to the general character of the present work. 



The durability and comfort of walks consist chiefly in their 

 power of resisting the action of the feet in walking on them, at 

 all seasons of the year. Soft gravel walks, that yield no resist- 

 ance to the motion of the body, are obviously unfit for being in 

 a place where frequent walking is resorted to. Sand, also, 

 makes a pretty walk to look at, but should never be employed 

 where a good hard walk is required, unless it naturally pos- 

 sesses the property of binding. 



It is quite possible, however, to have a hard solid walk, capa- 

 ble of resisting the action of the feet, and yet appear to have a 

 gravelly or sandy surface, which is frequently admired. This 

 is effected by preparing the lower strata of open material, then 

 a substratum of binding material, and lastly, a thin layer of 

 whatever material is wished for the surface, which should be 

 sifted before being laid on. It is then well watered, if dry; 

 then rolled well in, which has the effect of mixing it with the 

 binding stratum beneath, and leaving a smooth surface, that 

 becomes harder the longer it is used. In making up the sub- 

 strata, it is necessary to tread each layer firmly as it is made 

 up, so that no hollows or inequalities may occur on its subsida- 

 tion, and subsequent use. 



It must be remembered that the material of which the surface 

 of a walk is composed, will not bind by any mechanical means, 

 unless it contains something of a binding nature within itself. 

 Clean gravel will not bind by any degree of mechanical pres- 

 sure, unless it contains something to induce a general compact- 

 ness and solidity over the w-hole surface. 



The best material which we have met with in this country, 

 and which is no doubt abundant in many places, is a kind of 

 soft decomposing sandstone rock, containing a large quantity of 

 oxide of iron. It must be laid down where it is finally to 

 remain, when newly taken out of the pit, then subjected to a 

 good shower of rain, or watered, and afterwards rolled or well 

 trodden with the feet ; it makes a solid walk, nearly as compact 

 as the rock itself. It may be objectionable on account of its 



