48 The Landscape Gardening Book 



be. The sharp turn was used because the small amount of space 

 made it important to conserve every foot of lawn surface. A 

 curv'e would have sacrificed a little ; and though it would have 

 been better, strictly speaking, it would not have been enough 

 better in so small an area to make up for the loss. 



The house was a rambling affair, irregular enough and informal 

 enough to have almost any kind of a garden, except a formal 

 one. So the hedge-enclosed front lawn was planted with a 

 border of old-fashioned flowers on two sides, with more against 

 the house for good measure. To provide a way out to the 

 kitchen entrance, as well as a private way in from that side if one 

 happens to need it, a line of stepping stones was carried across 

 the front, past the bay window, to a wicket in the half hidden 

 hedge. 



Similar stones at the end of the porch prevent the tramping 

 down of the grass which is sure to result from much running 

 across in such a situation. Always remember, by the way, to 

 put two stones at the end of such a line. These divert footsteps, 

 now this way, now that, so that the grass will be worn evenly 

 instead of just in one place following the last stone. 



By shifting the front walk on this place the dimensions of the 

 lawn became 42 x 25 feet, the former being the distance across 

 the front from the inner side of the hedge which excludes the 

 kitchen walk, to the inner side of the boundary hedge opposite. 

 This increased area is all in one undivided stretch of greensward, 

 which makes it appear even more of an increase than it actually is. 



The kitchen walk is utilitarian, pure and simple, yet passing 

 between the two rows of hedge as far as the comer of the house 

 and between vine-covered house and hedge from there on, it is 

 by no means unattractive. A stout gate admits it to the kitchen 

 yard, which is completely latticed. 



