GARDEN WALKS 241 



canadensis ; also numerous Azaleas, particularly the Ghent 

 varieties, 



Garden Walks. During the prevalence of the Dutch 

 taste, grass walks were common in our gardens ; but, in 

 consequence of the inconvenience arising from their frequent 

 wetness in our humid climate, they have in a great mea- 

 sure been discarded. Their disuse is perhaps to be regret- 

 ted, as in some situations, particularly behind lengthened 

 screens of trees, or in gardens from which grass has been in 

 a great measure excluded, they form rather an agreeable 

 variety. It is justly observed by Sir William Temple that 

 " two things peculiar to us, and which contribute much to 

 the beauty and elegance of our gardens, are the "gravel of 

 our walks, and the fineness and almost perpetual greenness 

 of our turf;" and therefore no trouble should be spared in 

 securing excellence in these respects. In old times, grass 

 walks were formed with much care. After the space which 

 they were to occupy had been digged and leveled that it 

 might subside equally, a thin layer of sand or poor earth 

 was laid upon tho surface, and over this a similar layer of 

 good soil. This arrangement was to prevent excessive 

 luxuriance in the grass. In selecting the seed, all annual, 

 wiry, and coarse sorts of grass should be avoided. Per- 

 haps a mixture of Roughish Meadow-grass (Poa trivialis), 

 Sheep's Fescue-grass {Festuca duriuscula and Festuca ovi- 

 na), and Crested Dogstail grass (Cynosurus cristatus), is 

 about the best that could be selected. Poa nemoralis is 

 well adapted for shaded situations. The seeds of these 

 species, accurately selected, are now sold in the principal 

 seed-shops. White clover, although ornamental should, 

 scarcely be admitted, as it tends to keep the grass in a 



damp state. 



11 



