PATHS 21 
of a gravel path can be made comparatively hard. Asphalt paths 
have certain advantages over those of gravel, but the latter look 
far better in a garden. 
Grass Paths.—There is no pleasanter path than that of grass, 
and even the small garden ought to have a little grass walk between 
the flower borders and Rose beds. It adds immensely to the 
attractiveness of the garden, and none other is so pleasant to the 
tread. Constant mowing and rolling are necessary and the edges 
must be kept neat and trim, for while a well kept grass path is 
most attractive of all, its charm is never fully realised unless it is 
carefully attended to. 
Paved Paths.—Paths made with bricks or flat stones are 
usually seen only in large establishments where the paved garden is 
a feature quite by itself. Yet there are many positions in little 
gardens that might have paved paths bordered by rough stones, over 
which Thrift, Rock Cress, and some of the commoner Rockfoils (such 
as Saxifraga caespttosa) would tumble in profusion. The great 
charm of a paved path is that little plants can be grown in among 
the crevices, since the bricks and stones are placed directly on the 
soil, and interstices can be left between them for the reception of 
seeds and tiny plants. One of the best and easiest to grow of plants 
suitable for paved pathways is the Violet Cress (Jonopsidium acaule), 
a hardy annual that bears light purplish flowers throughout a long 
period. When once established it sows itself year after year. The 
Balearic Sandwort (Antennaria Balearica) covers the stones with a 
close fitting carpet of green that is almost lost beneath a mass of tiny 
white blossoms in early summer. Then there is the fragrant leaved 
Thyme ; this, too, may be planted among the crevices of the stones ; 
it gives a sweet odour as it is crushed by the foot. 
Paths of Heather.—These are perhaps scarcely to be recom- 
mended for quite little gardens, yet they form such a delightful 
feature in some places that it would seem a pity not to mention 
them. They need a light and sandy soil to prove really successful, 
and when these conditions can be counted upon Heather paths are 
certainly worth a trial. In congenial soil the Heather spreads 
quickly, and forms a path that “gives” to the tread in a manner 
that makes it most agreeable to walk upon. 
Edgings to Lawns and Walks.—There is something to be 
said for the long plain strip of wood, secured to short uprights placed 
along the grass verge at intervals of afew yards. (These uprights 
should be 12 inches below the ground and about 14 inches above). 
It fulfils the purpose of keeping the grass edge intact, and, as those 
who have small gardens know, this is not an easy matter when the lawn 
has much hard wear. Nevertheless, the strip of wood, useful though 
it be, is ugly and detracts from the beauty of the plain grass verge. 
In little gardens one has occasionally to sacrifice appearance for the 
sake of usefulness, and this is a case in point. Bricks set in a slant- 
ing direction, close together, half in and half out of the soil, form an 
