GARDEN WALKS 241 
canadensis ; also numerous Azaleas, particularly the Ghent 
varieties. 
Garden Waiks.—During the prevalence of the Dutch 
taste, grass walks were common in our gardens; but, in 
consequence of the inconvenience arising from their frequent 
wetness in our humid climate, they have in a great mea- 
sure been discarded. Their disuse is perhaps to be regret- 
ted, as in some situations, particularly behind lengthened 
screens of trees, or in gardens from which grass has been in 
a great measure excluded, they form rather an agreeable 
variety. It is justly observed by Sir William Temple that 
“ two things peculiar to us, and which‘contribute much to 
the beauty and elegance of our gardens, are the gravel of 
our walks, and the fineness and almost perpetual greenness 
of our turf;” and therefore no trouble should be spared in 
securing excellence in these respects. In old times, grass 
walks were formed with much care. After the space which 
they were to occupy had been digged and leveled that it 
might subside equally, a thin layer of sand or poor earth 
was laid upon the surface, and over this a similar layer of 
good soil. This arrangement was to prevent excessive 
luxuriance in the grass. In selecting the seed, all annual, 
wiry, and coarse sorts of grass should be avoided. Per- 
haps a mixture of Roughish Meadow-grass (Poa trivialis), 
Sheep’s Fescue-grass (Festuca duriuscula and Festuca ovi- 
na), and Crested Dogstail grass (Cynosurus cristatus), is 
about the best that could be selected. Poa nemoralis is 
well adapted for shaded situations. The seeds of these 
species, accurately selected, are now sold in the principal 
geed-shops. White clover, although ornamental should, 
scarcely be admitted, as it tends to keep the grass in 
damp state. 
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