RURAL HOMES. 7 



to a smooth surface, but also that the even ger- 

 minating of the seed and the vigor of the young 

 plants is equally dependent upon this condition. 



THE APPROACH. 



The construction of the driveway and of walks 

 will of course precede the finishing of the lawn. 

 It is a common remark that nothing contributes 

 more to the beauty of an estate than perfect 

 roads and walks. This is true, but to multiply 

 or extend them beyond actual requirement is not 

 only a useless expense, but, worse than this, it 

 cuts the place into senseless patches, and tends 

 greatly to diminish the effect of breadth, which 

 is so desirable. Confine the expanse of gravel 

 within the narrowest space consistent with free 

 approach. Rectangular walks, bordered on either 

 side by beds of flowers, belong to the geometric 

 style of gardening of past generations. But this 

 has given place, for the great majority of cases, 

 to what is termed the natural style, which con- 

 sists in curved walks and planting in beds and 

 in groups, in appropriate places on the lawn. 

 In many cases it is by no means desirable to 

 construct walks to flower beds or other objects of 

 interest. Often they are far more attractive in 

 the naturalness of their grassy surroundings. 

 Yet we would by no means disparage the effect 



