118 PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GARDEN PLANTS 



Gravel Paths. — As these are undoubtedly the most important, it is 

 necessary that they should be well made at first, as nothing will give 

 so much trouble and inconvenience afterwards as badly constructed 

 gravel paths. The main object in making a good pathway is to secure 

 a firm and pleasant surface for walking upon in all weathers and seasons. 

 The surface should be such that it will not work up into large pebbles 

 in summer or sticky mud in winter. Pathways should always have 

 a gentle slope away from dwellings or other buildings, and the highest 

 point should be a few inches at least below what builders call the 

 ' damp course ' in houses. 



Drainage. — To secure a good pathway it is first of all necessary to 

 consider the question of drainage, and also the nature of the soil beneath 

 the surface. In wet heavy soils the drainage requires to be in a more 

 perfect condition than when walks are constructed on a gravelly bottom. 

 At p. 44 the drainage of flower-pots &c. for sowing seeds has been 

 mentioned. Almost precisely the same principle must be carried out 

 with pathways. In heavy soils there should be 1-2 ft. of old brickbats, 

 rubble, clinkers &c. well rammed dovm and made perfectly hard without 

 being mixed with any finer materials. Above this layer some finer 

 rubble, stones, clinkers &c. may be placed and also rammed dovpn firmly 

 and evenly. This will give a perfectly porous layer between the surface 

 and the soil beneath, and if the drainage is to be made still more perfect, 

 as is often necessary with important walks and drives in public gardens, 

 provision must be made at first to have drain pipes laid at the sides to 

 receive the surface water in times of heavy rain or sudden downpours. 

 The drainage having been made perfect, the surface may then be covered 

 2-4 in. deep — more or less — with the best yellow gravel. Care must 

 be exercised in selecting this, as some kinds have far too much clayey 

 matter, and others too much sand and grit, to bind properly when 

 rolled. What is technically known as ' hoggin ' in the London 

 neighbourhood is an excellent gravel for pathways. It binds well, has 

 a good colour, and when properly rolled dovyn and watered gives a neat 

 and finished appearance to the garden. In some large parks and gardens 

 the gravel walks are covered with ground shells. These make a good sur- 

 face for walking on in dry weather, although at first the colour is some- 

 what trying to the eyes, and in wet weather they are not an improvement 

 on good gravel. Pathways made of gravel should have a slightly convex 

 top, so that the sides slope gently away from the centre. This will 

 throw the rain off towards the sides, and give a good foothold in the 

 centre, even in very wet weather, on well-constructed pathways. 



Weeding &c. — Pathways, like lawns, require constant attention to 

 keep them free from weeds and neat in appearance. It becomes 



