ELEMENTS OF THE GARDEN PLAN 57 



Up the path's usefulness. That it has also a 

 certain value in the general picture I have 

 already conceded. I have seen it laid down 

 in handbooks on gardening that the smaller 

 the garden the more the need for the "wind- 

 ing path," which, it is claimed, adds to the 

 "apparent length of the garden." I cannot 

 conceive that any such result could follow in a 

 garden the boundaries of which are visible 

 on every side. The winding path in a small 

 plot serves only to cut up the space into irreg- 

 ularly shaped areas, the treatment of which 

 will tax the skill of the planner to deal with 

 successfully, whilst the additional amount of 

 gravel surface is so much deducted from what 

 might be made productive flower ground. 



The width of the path must bear some re- 

 lation to the scale of the garden. In com- 

 paratively small plots, economy of space sug- 

 gests that it should be the minimum compatible 

 with its purpose. I do not favour a less width 

 than three feet for a principal path under 

 any circumstances. 



In larger gardens greater width may be 

 permitted, as there is a certain distinction and 

 dignity in a broad Avalk when all else is in 



