78 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
tate in ; but with a well-made walk we have only to scatter a little 
bright and fresh gravel on the surface, previously loosening it 
slightly, and it is restored to its former beauty. I have long discon- 
tinued the old practice of breaking up the walks deeply ; and the 
more ancient one of leaving them roughly broken and exposed to 
the frosts, snows, and rains of winter cannot be too highly depre- 
cated. 
Asphalte and paving have both been recommended for forming 
garden walks, but I think there are few persons who would not 
prefer the bright warm colour of good gravel, where it can be pro- 
cured. I have been in the habit of forming a sort of concrete with 
the gravel we get here, which answers well ; it is well watered and 
rolled to the consistency of puddle when wet ; it is afterwards 
allowed to dry, and sets as hard as a rock, the first shower of rain 
restoring it to its natural appearance. 
Walk-making, if well done, is very expensive, of course varying 
with the facility of obtaining fit materials ; so much depends on 
their proximity to the scene of operations, or having to be carted 
from a distance, that perhaps no two places would come under the 
same estimate. Both walks and roads should be made upon the 
same principle — that of preserving a moderately thick stratum of 
angular materials from absorbing the surface water; and yet so 
little is this understood that thousands of tons of stone are yearly 
thrown into deep trenches, to form, ns it is supposed, the founda- 
tions for roads and walks, while at the same time they, instead of 
supporting them, secure the most effectual means of making them 
unstable and rotten. Let a dry surface be obtained — if not naturally, 
artificially ; and cover it with a thin coat of such material as will 
keep it so. 
In the present depressed state of the agricultural interest, this 
may be worth the consideration of such of our friends of that class 
as purpose making roads; because, the principle admitted, must 
cause a much less quantity of ponderous materials to be procured 
and hauled than is usually done in forming farm roads ; and as 
economy is the order of the day, this is one item in which a saving 
of outlay may be made where such labour is necessary. Whether it 
be in an approach road to the residence of a gentleman, or upon his 
farm, or in his garden, nothing is more satisfactory than well-kept 
roads and walks. 
In the wilder scenes of nature we can admire rugged and irre- 
gular paths, but in what immediately relates to the comfort and 
enjoyment of the family of the man of wealth and taste, we look for 
perfection, as far as it is attainable by human means. 
