102 THE BOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



the strength of boys of twelve to fourteen. For fencing there 

 is no better plant than the Whitethorn. This can be bought in 

 quantities very cheaply. The plants should be set into the 

 ground in a double row, the rows being six inches and the plants 

 at half that distance apart. The planting should be done at 

 the end of October. Of other plants used for fencing, mention 

 may be made of Privet, which, however, does not make a suffi- 

 ciently strong fence ; and Beech, which while making a strong and 

 handsome fence, is slow in growth, especially on soils other than 

 sand or chalk. For very light soils the quickest growing plant 

 is perhaps the Laurel. If cuttings (hedge trimmings will do) 

 of Laurel are inserted in a small trench in October to a depth of 

 about four inches they will readily root, and form a fairly satis- 

 factory fence in two or three years time. 



The number of paths required will depend on the size of the 

 garden and the variety of its arrangement. In a garden of a 

 considerable size there should be one main path three feet in 

 width, with subsidiary paths two feet in width. Where, in addi- 

 tion to vegetable portions, there are flower borders, agricultural 

 specimen plants, agricultural demonstration plots, and a fruit 

 plot, there should be paths running alongside each of them. 

 The paths should be made by the boys. For this purpose the 

 outlines of the paths are marked out with stakes, and the soil is 

 then taken out to a depth of three inches. This soil may either 

 be scattered over the rest of the garden or used, as a bottom 

 for compost or manure heaps. Next the surface drains are made 

 as described on page 100 ; and lastly, the material for the paths 

 is filled in and well trodden or rolled down. This material may 

 be either gravel or preferably cinders or " brise " from the gas 

 works, mixed with a little slaked lime to cement the whole. Well 

 made paths add greatly to comfort in getting about the garden. 

 It may be desirable to provide an edging to the main path. This 

 is sometimes made with ornamental tiles, or with bricks stuck 

 endwise into the ground ; or box may be planted, but this is 

 objectionable, because it affords a hiding-place for slugs. Probably 

 the best edging is one made of boards seven inches wide by three- 

 quarters of an inch in thickness. These, after being tarred, are 

 let into the ground to a depth of three inches and secured in 



