Paving, as much as any other element in the garden, can give the outdoor picture distinction. Therefore the choice should be made with care and discretion. Similarly, once you have chosen what is to be laid, it is well to be sure that it will be permanent, easy to maintain, and safe to use in all weather throughout the year. You can cut the cost of building a terrace or a walk about in half if you do the work yourself. It is not the easiest kind of project to choose, but it is perfectly possible to do it and do it well.

The first move is to measure out the area your paving is to cover (we will assume you have read Chapter XV if it is to be a Terrace), and to stake it out with stakes every three feet or so; and it may help to run a mason's line around the stakes so that you can see exactly how it shapes up and make revisions before it has cost you any labor which nay have to be put in again. When it is laid out to your satisfaction, figure out the approximate square footage to be covered; then visit your building materials dealer. Select several of the materials you like and wish to consider. If your dealer can be persuaded to lend them to you, you might take samples of the paving materials home with you to try on the spot to see how colors look with your house or any other architectural features. If not, then you will have to exercise your imagina- tion. You will be able, once you have chosen two or three likely paving materials, to figure out comparative costs for the materials from the square footage to be covered. Don't forget to figure in the costs of the underpinnings-sand, gravel, cinders, concrete, or whatever the paving material will rest on.