92 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



the honse, the walk may be made from 5 to 6 feet wide, so 

 that two or three persons may walk abreast or pass each 

 other readily; but if two persons would not be likely to 

 meet frequently, a width of from 3 to 5 feet would be suffi- 

 cient. For a drive where only one team would pass over 

 the road at a time 8 to 10 feet is sufficient width; but if 

 two teams must frequently pass over it at once, 15 to 18 

 feet will be none too great a width. The walks and 

 drives, however, ought not to be wider than are absolutely 

 needed, for the wider they are the more they detract from 

 the ornamental features of the place and the greater will 

 be the cost of construction and maintenance. 



Obtaining the Curves. 



Too much care cannot be exercised in laying out and 

 forming the curves of walks and drives, for when completed 

 with a proper foundation it is difficult to make a change 

 of location or direction except at large expense. 



Most inexperienced persons find some difficulty in obtain- 

 ing graceful and proper curves, but to the professional 

 landscape-gardner it is a simple matter. 



The point of start and termination must be decided upon 

 and also the prominent features that may be brought to 

 view along its course. The walk should be made to pass if 

 possible where pleasing features will be seen, and not where 

 those of an unpleasant character will be brought to view. 



Many means are employed to obtain the desired curve. 

 If an engineer is employed, this is quickly and very accu- 

 rately done with surveying-instruments; but for all ordinary 

 work it can be done with sufficient accuracy by the eye, 

 setting up small stakes at regular intervals, as in Fig. 52, 



