THE CULINARY GARDEN. 



IS 



the arrangement of other figures, it is necessary, likewise, to 

 have the fruit-tree borders divided from the rest by a walk 

 running parallel with the walls, and the remaining space di- 

 vided in the most equal manner possible. The walks should 

 be separated from the larger compartments or quarters by a 

 marginal border, fi'om four to six feet wide, in which an espa- 

 lier rail is often fixed, for the purpose of training apple and 

 pear trees, at the distance of three to five feet from the walk ; 

 cjr, instead of espaliers, dwarf standard trees may be planted, 

 according to the taste of the owner. An alley or path, com- 

 monly two feet broad, separates this border from the quarters, 

 and is to be used by the labourers while engaged in the several 

 operations of gardening. 



WALKS. 



Marshall observes, m his Introduction, " that the number 

 and breadth of walks must, in a great measure, be regulated 

 by the quantity of allotted ground, exceeding in those particu- 

 lars, where there is room ; but that few and wide walks are 

 preferable to many contracted ones. If the garden be small, 

 one good walk all round is sufiicient ; and, if long and narrow, 

 the cross ones should not be many ; six or eight-feet walks are 

 not too wide for a moderate-sized garden." In the formation 

 of the walks, the ground, if good, should be excavated to the 

 depth of two or three feet, and disposed upon the compart- 

 ments, in order to admit of a sufficient depth for a layer of 

 stone^j brick-bats, rubbish, or rough gravel, &c., to render the 

 whole perfectly dry at all seasons, as well as to prevent the 

 rising up of the worms. Under the walks, as has been already 

 noticed, good drains should be formed to carry off all super- 

 fluous water. The bottom being thus prepared, the lower 

 stratum being laid as hollow as possible, the whole should be 

 finished with the best gravel that can be procm-ed, from six 

 ,to twelve inches in depth: that of a binding nature is the 

 best. The colour should be of a yellowish hue, as dark 

 coloured gravel, although it may be equally good for render- 

 ing a walk dry, firm, and hard, has not so cheerful an appear- 

 ance ; lighter coloured gravels are also sooner tarnished, and 



