l8 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



convenient and as easy as possible. Their appearance must be 

 harmonious and in accord with the style of the garden. They 

 should always appear to lead direct to their destination, and 

 any deviation should only arise from a decided obstacle. 

 Approaches must be solidly established, and well kept. 



The different ways of communication in a park or a garden 

 are as follow : The drive, which can be straight or curvilinear ; 

 the walks, which may also be either straight or curvilinear, 

 according to the style of the garden ; and the paths and back 

 road for the service of the house, of the garden, and of the stables. 



The Drive leads from the public road to the residence. If 

 the estate is a large one, and the house of pretentious appearance 

 and situated in flat country, a straight drive is advisable ; but if 

 the ground is undulating, a curvilinear drive is more appropriate. 

 A straight drive, though imposing, is monotonous. A straight 

 avenue must start from the centre of the house, and put the 

 latter into relief. When the centre of a residence is not 

 prominent or particularly decorative, two avenues may start 

 from each of the extremities of the front, each one becoming 

 a centre. The space between the two avenues must on no 

 account be planted with trees, though it may be turfed, and be 

 brightened with flower groups. The number of rows of trees on 

 each side of an avenue may vary from one to four. If more 

 rows than one are planted, they may be arranged in either 

 squares or chequers. 



A drive with one or several curves is best adapted — in fact, the 

 only suitable one — for undulating ground ; and it has to be 

 closely studied after the site of the house has been chosen. The 

 site of the entrance from the public road must be determined 

 according to the exigencies of the situation and the proprietor's 

 needs. If a curvilinear drive is chosen, it must, nevertheless, 

 not deviate too much from the straight line. The entrance 

 thereto must be as near to the house as the natural con- 

 ditions will allow. The curves must be easy, forming broad, 

 sweeping lines. Every change of curve must have its apparent 

 reason, an obstacle, such as a tree, which it is desired to con- 

 serve, a rock, or a wooded hill, which has to be aUowed for. 

 To increase the variety of a long drive, such "obstacles" may 

 be artificially created. The more undulating or hilly the 

 ground, the more numerous must be the turnings, and each 

 sweep of a curve must be hidden from the succeeding bend. 

 The entrance from the public road must, if possible, be at 



