“ Straining after Effect” 
the front is composed chiefly of bare patches, leggy 
specimens, and dead leaves at the base of the taller 
subjects. This is not only unnecessary, it is positively 
sinful. There are hundreds of varieties of plants that 
can be used for the purpose, the dwarf varieties of 
Campanulas, Dianthus, Aubretias, Veronicas, and 
many others. Let them grow out from the border on 
to the path and so form an irregular line, that should 
never be allowed to grow out so far, however, as to 
impede free progress down the path. 
There is another happy feature in this design that is 
worthy of emphasis—viz., that, starting with a site that 
is quite level, Mr. Morris (p. 45) creates a variety not 
otherwise obtainable by excavating to a depth of 
2 feet, and thus creating a sunk lawn. In itself this 
is an idea admirable in many ways, especially when 
the site is large enough. In such a case, despite the 
fact that such a variation of levels is purely artificial 
(not always the happiest method of treating a garden), 
where the lines are simple and well managed the result 
would be in no sense that of “‘ straining after effect.’’ 
It must be confessed, however, that the effect in this 
site would have been better had the garden been 10 feet 
wider. Only 2 feet are allowed for a border on the 
south side. This is not enough to get away from the 
line of the fence. The lawn itself could not be much 
less than the 26 feet allowed for it, although it might 
be reduced to 24 feet without creating a sense of 
contraction. Twenty-four feet would just bring the 
centre of the lawn on to that of the dining-room win- 
dow, thus 2 feet could be gained for the border. There 
is another way in which more could be gained—viz., 
43 
