Jan.] FLOWER GARDEN. qj 



and into the principal internal divisions, so as to have drv and firm 

 walking at all times of the year; for frequently, but particularly 

 in winter and in wet weather, grass walks are very uncomfortable 

 and even unhealthy to walk on. These walks should be of propor- 

 tional width in different parts, and larger and smaller in proportion 

 to the extent of the ground. 



As to the distribution of gravel walks — first a magnificent one, 

 from fifteen to twenty or thirty feet wide, should range immediately 

 close and parallel to the front of the house, and be conducted di- 

 rectly across the lawn into the nearest side shrubberies; from this 

 main walk other smaller ones, from five to ten or fifteen feet wide, 

 according to the extent of the ground, should branch off" at proper 

 intervals, directed in the serpentine way — some leading through 

 the outer boundary plantations as already hinted — others into the 

 internal divisions, and others carried along the boundary plantation 

 of the main lawn; all of which walks being conducted through the 

 dift'ent parts in order to attbrd the convenience of shade and retire- 

 ment occasionally, as well as to enjoy the variety of the trees, 

 shrubs and flowers, variously presenting themselves at different 

 turnings: for the walks having various sweeps and windings dis- 

 covering only a moderate length at once, every turning produces 

 new varieties, and should likewise be so contrived as at proper 

 intervals to discover openings for prospects into different principal 

 divisions of the ground, having in some places the plantation of 

 trees, shrubs and flowers bordering close upon the walks; in other 

 parts have on one side of the walks considerable grass spaces run- 

 ning into the plantation in one or more concave curves, to form the 

 greater diversity. 



In some places the winding of walks should be gradual and 

 moderate; in others, exhibit sudden turns and sweeps — some dis- 

 playing magnificent projections in the plantation; others, spacious 

 openings bordered with curious plants; in other parts a close thick- 

 et, which sometimes may seem to terminate the walk, when by a 

 sudden turn it breaks out all at once into some grand open division, 

 spacious open walk, an avenue or elegantpiece of water, open groves 

 &c; and in other parts a walk suddenly divides into two or three 

 divisions leading different ways in gradual sweeps, each separation 

 being formed by a projecting clump of shrubbery work or group of 

 trees, &c. , and each division of the walk is conducted by BUcn varied 

 serpentine turns as soon to be concealed from the other by the inter- 

 vening compartments. 



Sometimes, similar to the ancient designs, a spacious gravel walk 

 is extended in a perpendicular line immediately from the front of 

 the house dividing the lawn, or extended on both boundaries and 

 in other directions, with a wide border on each side, either straight 

 or sometimes a little serpentined, and planted with the most curious 

 low flowering shrubs, evergreens and herbaceous flowering plants. 



All these gravel walks should be laid with the best gravel, six or 

 eight inches deep at least, but if more the better. 



All the open grass spaces may be considered as grass walks, 

 whether formed in the manner of walks, or as breaks or divisions 



