200 GARDEN DESIGN 



esque features, and by carefully planting the 

 shrubberies behind, a certain amount of privacy 

 can be obtained. Some recesses may be large 

 enough to make small dry playgrounds, with one 

 or two good shade trees, which will encourage 

 children to play off the paths, and away from seats 

 meant more especially for grown-up people. 



The best material for paths is good binding 

 gravel, and it must really bind, as loose stones 

 are very objectionable where children play. 

 In the poorer parts of large towns recreation 

 grounds are often tar-paved, which is wearisome 

 to eye and feet, while it makes the only remedy 

 against the glare good trees almost impossible 

 to grow. The motive for this is partly economy 

 in upkeep, and partly dread of stone throwing. 

 A natural, firm sandy soil surfaced with shell 

 gravel is the best substitute for grass, being springy 

 and cool under foot. Failing that, the ground 

 might be well drained, and over a 6 in. layer of 

 hard core 4 in. of fine gravel could be laid and 

 rolled, and shell gravel added. Occasional rolling 

 and an annual dressing of shell would be required 

 to keep it in condition. If tar-paving is ordered 

 by the authorities special preparation should be 

 made to ensure trees thriving, and the method com- 

 mon in Germany may well be copied. Before the 

 streets are paved a broad deep trough of good 

 loam is laid the whole length of the intended line of 

 trees, which are then placed in position with 



