58 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
dian file. The main walks should, therefore, be calculated 
so as to admit two persons to walk comfortably in a social 
manner, and, if wide enough for a little one in addition, 
so much the better. From five to six feet will not be too 
wide for the main avenue. The internal compartments, 
of course, should have much narrower walks, the width of 
which must be graduated, in a degree, by the size of the 
garden. 
The walks of the flower-garden should be constructed 
of such material as will make firm and dry walking at all 
seasons of the year. The best walks are composed of 
small stones, oyster-shells, coarse gravel, or broken bricks, 
covered with five or six inches of fine gravel. As to the 
color of the gravel, or coating, you must be governed by 
fancy and convenience; but as to quality, it should be 
coarse and lively, containing a due proportion of light 
sandy loam, to make it bind close and firm at all seasons; 
but not so redundant of loam or clay as to stick to the 
feet in wet weather, nor so sandy as to be loose and open 
in dry weather. 
Ground oyster shells are sometimes used, also granite 
chips, from a stone-cutter’s, which make fine, hard walks; 
but these substances are too brilliant for the eye in asunny 
day, and on that account are objectionable. A redish free- 
stone color has a better effect. 
Agreeably to your design, stake out the width of the 
walk, and proceed to level the boundary on each side, cor- 
responding with the adjacent ground, and form the cavity 
of the walk for the reception of the gravel,—observing 
that the whole space, to make a good and permanent walk, 
should be dug twelve or fifteen inches deep, to allow a 
proper depth for gravel, to prevent the weeds from rising 
from the ground below, and worms from casting up the 
earth thereof. The earth dug out from the cavity of the 
walk, may be used to raise and level any hollow parta on 
