28 LAYING OUT GROUNDS. 



While the direction of roads and paths is under consideration, the 

 best manner of constructing them should be noticed. The system 

 long adhered to, of making a foundation to the depth of nearly three 

 feet, the lower part being filled with coarse materials to act as 

 drainage, renders paths pervious to water; and the consequence 

 is, that after heavy dews, or partial rain, they are in such a state 

 of humidity as not to be walked upon with comfort. In the winter 

 season, the wet weather, which frequently precedes a hard frost, satu- 

 rates the walks ; the frost penetrates, and when a thaw takes place, 

 they become rotten to the foundation, and are rendered quite im- 

 passable. This evil is not only remedied, but much expense for 

 materials and labour saved, by adopting the following rules : — Take 

 from the line of the intended walk eight inches of the earth, then 

 fill it up with coarse good binding gravel, and if there be large stones 

 among it, they should be broken into pieces of about an inch square ; 

 the whole should be firmly beaten down, after which the surface may 

 be loosened with a rake ; about one inch in depth of fine gravel 

 should then be laid on, and well rolled : if the foundation be im- 

 bedded in a layer of chalk, it becomes more adhesive, and by taking 

 care to lay the walk so that the water may be conducted to par- 

 ticular parts, and thence carried off by drains, the surface will be 

 rendered firm, clean, and dry, at all times. 



There is an error in making the surface of walks too round ; it 

 lessens in appearance the real width, and renders them unpleasant 



