ARTIFICIAL EDGINGS 



231 



decoration. The plain scallop edge is the least 

 offensive. (See Fig. 65.) 



Even that is apt to suffer in use, and will show 

 unpleasant gaps where some of the projections 

 have been broken off by a chance blow of the 

 spade. 



Perhaps the strongest pattern is the so-called 

 "cable" design, but to that there is the ob- 

 jection that it is a barefaced imitation of 

 something which it never quite succeeds in 

 simulating, and which in the reality would be 

 a most inappropriate thing as a permanent 

 feature in the garden. Moreover, these tiles 

 are unsightly when laid in curves. 



Generally speaking, the edging tile is some- 

 thing one had better do without, and as a 

 substitute for it which has the advantage of 

 greater substance, durability, and stability, 

 combined with lower cost, I commend: 



Brick Edgings — The common builder's red 

 brick, as I have already mentioned, makes 

 an excellent edging, and is capable of being 

 used in various ways. Laid flat, its top sur- 

 face level with the gravel, it becomes the margin 

 of the path and at the same time an efficient 

 barrier to the soil of the border. Used in this 



