GARDEN" WALKS AND EOADS. 



191 



a fine sieve, rubbing all the lumps through. Thus 

 prepared, it not only goes almost as far again, but 

 can be far more regularly distributed, two or three 

 tons sufficing for the walks of a good-sized demesne. 

 Applied in sunny weather if possible, and about the 

 thickness of a mere shower of snow, that half covers, 

 half reveals the surface, it proves very effective. 



To economise the salt and make its action more 

 rapid and effectual, the late Mr. Fleming, of Trent- 

 ham, invented a salting machine, consisting of a 

 furnace, a copper, and a distributor, on wheels, which 

 poured a fine shower of boiling brine on to the 

 weeds, and made an end of them at once. The 

 liquid was, however, apt at times to be blown on to 

 the grass or edgings by the sides of walks or roads, 

 and of course destroyed both. As a set-off against 

 this, however, it must be stated that while dry salt 

 lies on walks or roads, every wheel or foot leaving 

 the gravel or stone for the turf carries disfigurement 

 or death with it, until the adhering salt is all dis- 

 solved and absorbed. 



The salting machines were so efficient and rapid in 

 their action that some left out the salt, and converted 

 them into mere scalding machines, from which boil- 

 ing water was showered upon the weeds, with almost 

 equally destructive effects ; and thus the chief objec- 

 tion against salt — namely, that though at first de- 

 structive it ultimately becomes a stimulating manure 

 — was got rid of. There is no doubt of its killing 

 power, but it is equally evident that on certain soils, 

 and in certain states of weather, fresh weeds spring 

 up rapidly on the heels of the salting process. Still, 

 the plan is on the whole so cheap and efficient that 

 the pickling of weeds off roads and walks is very 

 generally practised. Our own plan for years has 

 consisted in one light dressing of salt, and another 

 of gravel, but little thicker than the salt, annually ; 

 the former keeps down weeds, and the latter, com- 

 bined with a secondary quality' of the salt, imparts 

 that brightness and semi-sparkling brilliancy of 

 colouring which constitutes one of the chief charms 

 of walks and roads. 



The pickling processes are almost as efficient 

 against worms and slugs as for killing weeds, and, 

 combined with frequent and heavy rollings^ and an 

 occasional sweeping when necessary, maintain stone 

 or gravel surfaces in first-rate condition. 



For the poisoning of weeds ammoniacal gas-liquor, 

 weak solutions of sulphuric acid, and paraffine or 

 other mineral oils, have been used. None of these, 

 however, are so simple, cheap, safe, or efficient as salt, 

 and they can hardly be recommended for general use. 



One of the simplest aids to the good keeping of 

 roads and walks is their constant use, and the using 

 of the entire surface to the same extent. So much is 

 this recognised in Scotland, where many of the finest 



roads are to be found, ttat lengths of trees, three or 

 four feet long, mounted at one end on two legs a 

 foot or so in length, are used in quantities to force 

 the traffic into frfesh channels every day. These are 

 placed on at daylight, and removed before dark ; and 

 no expenditure in keeping roads pays better. 



With a little attention to this regular distribution 

 of traffic over the entire area of walks, it would be 

 found that few or no weeds would grow upon them. 

 Finally, the more traffic and the oftener rolled the 

 easier are they kept clean, as solidity is a powerful 

 element in the good maintenance and preservation of 

 a cleanly surface on either roads or walks. 



GRASS WALKS, ROABS, AND KIDES. 



Grass Walks. — These are still among the 

 most enjoyable features of many of our best gar- 

 dens. In oi-der to wear well, and prove really 

 enjoyable, they should be thoroughly drained and 

 well made, for similar reasons to those insisted 

 upon in regard to ordinary walks and roads. Wet 

 turf wears through with the slightest friction; 

 comparatively dry, it wiU bear any amount of fric- 

 tion from pedestrians, and even a great deal of 

 light carriage traffic, without injury. Uniformity 

 of depth and of quality of soil are also of vital im- 

 portance to the development and maintenance of the 

 highest qualities in grass walks and promenades. 

 Where these have not been provided the grass wears 

 into patches, and also grows in a similar way_ to its 

 utter disfigurement and ruin as a perfect and 

 pleasant walk. Fat turf here, lean there, none 

 yonder — these are the penalties exacted from 

 scamping the work of due and careful preparation 

 of base and soil for grass walks. 



Where these walks are bounded with trees, for 

 the forming of avenues, even greater preparation is 

 needful ; for the overshadowing of the trees as they 

 grow up proves a powerful hindrance to the proper 

 growth and maintenance of grass walks and rides. 

 But, with a sufficient depth of soil of uniform quality 

 throughout, this difficulty may be lessened very much, 

 if not wholly overcome, and the grass promenade or 

 walk maintained in that elastic condition and with 

 that soft semi- velvety surface that indicate perfection 

 in a turf walk or avenue. 



On estates of any considerable extent,' especially 

 in the North of England and Scotland, these form 

 one of the most delightful features of numerous 

 domains. They vary in width from ten to twenty 

 feet, and are swept through woods and plantations in 

 bold sweeps and meandering curves. Straight rides, 

 half a mile or a mile in length, are also sometimes, 

 formed, and have a rich and telling eiiect when 

 carried through trees of large growth that, whether 



