GARDEN PATHS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 71, 21 September 1933, Page 20

GARDEN PATHS

PERMANENT FOOTWAYS

Those requiring permanency in their garden paths ■ cannot do better than build of concrete or, as an alternative, asphalt. Both make excellent paths, which require a minimum of attention, a matter of considerable"importance where the gardener has not too much time to,devote to his garden.

The cost of such paths, however, is' frequently a very solid objection to their adoption, for which reason something else has to be sought as a substitute. Nothing looks better or more in keeping with the garden itself than a well-kept gravel walk, but such require a considerable amount of attention or they soon become unsightly and covered with weeds of all kinds.

In those parts of the garden where traffic is not too heavy a grass walk is very attractive, and if the gardener is prepared to give it the attention it Tequires and deserves he will be well Tepaid. Unfortunately few amateurs have the time to devote to such a walk, as it requires more than an occasional run over with the mower, while the edg«s have to be kept properly cut and weeds removed.

A very servieable path may be- made % by tarring the surface and sanding it," work which may bo carried out with comparatively little expense. If it is intended to so treat the paths they should be carefully graded and formed before applying tar, which should be heated .before application. Ashes may be sprinkled on the tar instead of sand,, lif so desired, but they do not make ! such a good job as ■ sand. Extreme care must be taken when heating the tar, as it is very inflammable, and boils over very suddenly, much the waj milk does. In order to be quite safe when carrying out; such work it is advisable to build a fire in the open, choosing a calm day, and well away from any buildings. On no account should tar.be heated inside the house on a range or gas stove, as it is far too dangerous. The surface to be treated should be quite smooth and firm and not too dry otherwise it will lift when the tar is applied.. If there has not been any rain a day or so prior to the work being earned out the path will have to be well watered the day before.

Paths so made do not require a. great deal of attention, provided the roots of such weeds as docks, dandelions, couch grass, and sorrel have been removed previously. If such a path is treated with a coat of -tar annually, in

a few years a good asphalt path will result, capable of withstanding the heaviest traffic likely in such a place.

sheltered from prevailing winds and a deep soil. It comes fairly easily from seed especially fresh seed, which should be sown, finely in a small pot and the seedlings thinned out, the remaining ones being planted out in their permanent positions; or if care is given the seed may be sown direct in the open ground where the plant is to grow. feomneyas may also be ■ propogated from root cuttings. Pieces of root should be.cut into lengths a few inches long,and laid in sand. Any piece of root about the size of a lead pencil will do. A bed of sand can. be made where, the. plant is to grow and the roots laid in. Tho bed should be shaded till the roots have formed buds.