544 Gefiet^al Results of a Gardeyiing Tour : — 



In some pleasure-grounds the surface of the gravel is so 

 much lower than the surface of the lawn on both sides, that 

 it may be deemed almost impracticable to raise it to the same 

 level; in these cases, the margins should be gradually sloped 

 down, or rounded off; so as that, at all events, the grass 

 may come close down to the gravel, and there may not ap- 

 pear the least streak of naked soil between it and the grass. 

 Walks through woods are often cut so deep into the soil 

 that they appear more like newly commenced ditches, or 

 hollowed out beds, than walks. The consequence of their 

 surface being below that of the adjoining ground is, that the 

 roots of the trees and shrubs crossing the walk rise up 

 in and disfigure it, while they incommode the passenger, 

 and destroy the essential use of the walk, that of putting 

 him in a state of ease and comfort, so that he may be 

 enabled to bend all his attention to the enjoyment of the 

 scenery around him. To avoid this evil in walks through 

 woods, they ought to be formed above the surface, rather 

 than under it ; and, provided the gravel be kept clear of 

 weeds, and smooth, dry, and firm, to a proper width, the 

 margins need never be formally cut at all ; but the grass, or 

 whatever may spring up for a few feet or yards on each side 

 of the walk, among the shrubs or trees, may be only mown or 

 clipped ; commencing by very close shaving along the sides of 

 the gravel, and diverging into wildness, as the space clipped 

 recedes from it, and as the character of the scenery may 

 require. 



It is a common practice in shrubberies and plantations 

 near houses or gardens, for the gardener to continue to dig, - 

 or hoe and rake, the surface, for a number of years after the 

 shrubs or trees are planted ; even though it can do no good 

 to the trees and shrubs, and though no flowers can grow 

 among them. This, in our opinion, is a great deformity, 

 because digging, hoeing, and raking are only means to an 

 end ; and, kept up in ornamental grounds after they cease to 

 be of use in aiding the growth of the trees, they are as bad as 

 keeping up the outline stakes to a road after it is finished. 

 Now, what we have to recommend on this subject is, that, as 

 soon as the trees and bushes are large enough to protect 

 themselves from weeds (which, on an, average, will be in 

 about three or four years), the surface around them should 

 cease to be dug, and should be only mown or clipped, either 

 as far from the walk as the eye can reach, or to the distance 

 of a few feet from it; pulling out, from among the bushes, any 

 larger weeds which may appear beyond the space so mown 

 or clipped. Groups, or clumps, on highly kept lawn, unless 

 they contain flowers, or very delicate shrubs, as well as the 



