few
things grouped and intergrouped); or wastes of sandhills near the sea
within our milder shores with Sea Buckthorn and Tamarisk, and Monterey
Cypress (_Cupressus macrocarpa_), and long drifts of the handsome Blue
Lyme Grass.

A mile of sandy littoral might be transformed with these few things, and
no others than its own wild growths, into a region of delight, where
noble tree form of rapid growth, tender colour of plume-like branch and
bloom and brilliant berry, and waving blue grassy ribbons, equalling in
value any of the lesser Bamboos, would show a lesson of simple planting
such as is most to be desired but is rarely to be seen.

The other and commoner way is nothing but a muddle from beginning to
end. A van-load of shrubs arrives from the nursery--one of each or
perhaps not more than six of any kind. No plan is prepared, and the
trees and shrubs are planted in the usual weary mixture, without thought
or design. Generally there are three times too many for the space. It is
a cruel waste and misuse of good things.

CHAPTER IV

HEATHY PATHS IN OUTER GARDEN SPACES

The subject of heathy paths comes within the scope of this book. We are
not thinking of grass or gravel paths, but those in pleasure-grounds
that are beyond the province of the trimly-kept garden, and yet have to
be somewhat tamed from the mere narrow track such as serves for the
gamekeeper on his rounds. Paths of this kind admit of varied treatment.
The nature of the place and the requirements of those who use the paths
will determine their general nature, and settle whether they are to be
of turf or of something that must be dry in all weathers. But grass and
gravel are not the only alternatives. One kind of path not often seen,
but always pleasant, and at one time of year distinctly beautiful, can
be made of the Common Heather (_Calluna vulgaris_). We know of such a
path, 12 feet wide and some hundreds of feet long, carpeted with this
native Heath, mown once a year, and feeling like a thick pile carpet to
the feet; grey-green in summer, bronze-coloured in late autumn, and in
the second and third weeks of August thickly set with short sprays of
the low-toned pink of the Heather bloom. It is not so dry as a gravel
path, but a good deal drier than grass, and has a pleasant feeling of
elasticity that is absent in common turf.

Many are the pleasure-grounds in the south of England and Scotland where
the soil is sandy and, perhaps, peaty. Any s