GARI>t:N WALKS. 251 



which grass has be-en 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 ele- 

 gance 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 ©ccupy had been digged and leveled that 

 it might subside' equably, a thin layer of sand or poor 

 earth was laid upon the 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 course sorts of grass should be 

 avoided. Perhaps a mixture of Roughish Meadow-grass 

 (Poa trivialis), Sheep's'Fescue-grass (Festuca duriuscula 

 and Festuca ovina), and Crested Dogstail grass (Cyno- 

 surus 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. 



Gravel walks, in this department, are formed pre- 

 cisely in the same manner as those in the kitchen gar- 

 den. It may, however, be remarked, that numerous 

 gravel walks, particularly when narrow, have a puny 

 effect. All the principal lines should be broad enough 

 to allow at least three persons to walk abreast ; the 

 others may be narrow. Much of the neatness of walks 

 depends upon the material of which they are made. 

 Gravel from an inland pit is to be preferred, though 



