122 GARDEN DESIGN 



the path was required to give access to the flower 

 border, but not further. It was carried round 

 the shrubbery, and a recess was made and a seat 

 placed from which a charming view was obtain- 

 able. 



The pleasure of a garden depends much on the 

 good condition of its paths. They should not 

 remain muddy or slimy after rain and frost, or 

 be of such harsh material that they are rough 

 under foot. A serviceable path owes its value 

 to its shape, and its material. The ground 

 should be excavated nine inches below the finished 

 level of the verge, and made slightly concave. 

 Over this 6 in. of rough stone, broken brick or 

 clinker should be laid technically known as 

 hard core. Any hard uncrushable substance 

 will serve. Gardeners frequently take advantage 

 of path making to dispose of broken crockery, 

 old tins, and other rubbish that cannot be burned, 

 well screening it from dirt and soft debris. If 

 an edging is required it is set before laying 3 in. 

 of surfacing material. This differs according to 

 locality. The ideal substance is good binding 

 gravel, such as is found near London. It is a 

 pleasant colour and sets hard. The gravel should 

 be spread dry and carefully raked into shape, 

 and pressed by frequent rolling into a solid mass. 

 It should be kept drenched with water under the 

 roller so that it cannot " pick up " and when shaped 

 and firm no one should tread on it until it has dried, 



