142 Landscape Gardening 



in the same line. Repton suggests as an excellent rule that 

 where two walks branch off from one another at any point, 

 they should take a decided outward turn (fig. 37) so as not 

 to seem as if they would soon unite again. Cf course this 

 will not apply to the case of their merely passing round circles 

 or ovals, where it is simply assumed that the obstacle in the 

 center causes a temporary diversion. 



While the shrubs and plantations that skirt the sides of 

 walks at intervals are never placed so as to irake a formal 

 line or hedge, nor pruned or chpped into regular shapes, in 

 relation to curved walks, they ought not so to intrude upon 

 the walks as to prevent their being comfortably used in wet 

 weather. Regard should be had at the time of planting to 

 their usual character and habits, \\ith an ultimate view to 

 this convenience. 



In the formation of serpentine v alks it is not well to set 

 their curves out to any regular radius but simply to please 

 the eye. The length or extent of divergence of the curves 

 from a central line cannot be too varied and irregular if the 

 turns be not sudden and abrupt. Great ^'ariety of curves 

 will best conduce to newness of scene and maintenance of 

 interest. The most delicate point in working them out will 

 be to blend two curves nicely together without producing a 

 straight or a tame line at their junction. 



Whatever may be at the sides of walks, whether raised 

 banks, borders, depressions, or comparatively level ground, 



Fig. 38. Grading to a Walk. 



if a grass edging be used it should always be perfectly 

 flat for a greater or less width, according to the space, and 

 then gradually rise (fig. 38) with a concave curve, till it 



