30G THE GARDENER. [July 



Thrips are fond of establishing themselves on Azaleas ; laying them on 

 their sides and thoroughly syringing them with tobacco-water, or soft- 

 soap water mixed with tobacco-powder, will keep them oft' : fumigating 

 two or three nights in succession with tobacco will keep them down. 

 Cinerarias and Calceolarias are liable to the attacks of green-fly, and 

 require timely attention. M. T. 



THE HERB BORDER. 



[Con'.inued frovi jMge 256.) 



Hue. — A low, hardy, evergreen shrub ; a native of the south of 

 Europe. The leaves have a disagreeable smell and a bitter taste ; if 

 rubbed on the skin, it raises blisters. It is also called Herb of Grace^ 

 which in some parts of England is corrupted into Yerh-a-Grass. Rue 

 was formerly held in great esteem, and is to this day in popular use, 

 being in great repute with mothers for nearly all kind of infantile 

 diseases. It will succeed in common soil if not too wet or too rich. 

 It may be propagated by seed sown in pans, and forwarded in a slight 

 heat, or sown at once in the bed in April. By cuttings, however, is 

 the common plan. They should be taken off in May, and inserted under 

 handlights, and shaded and watered till rooted, and afterwards j^lanted 

 on the border in rows 1 foot apart, and the same between the plants. 



Worinii'ood {common). — A perennial, and a native of Britain and 

 the Continent. The leaves are bitter, and the plant has a strong and 

 disagreeable smell. It is cultivated entirely for medicinal purposes. 

 An infusion of the leaves allays pain, and swellings arising from bruises. 

 We have known it applied with success in dangerous cases of this kind 

 when other things had failed. It is also said to be, to some extent, a 

 substitute for Peruvian bark in some diseases. AVormwood is easily 

 cultivated, and may be propagated by seed sown in spring, by cuttings, 

 or by division of the plant. It prefers a light dry soil, and will 

 succeed for years in the same situation without much attention. 

 Another variety, called Roman Wormwood, is also cultivated — both 

 have the same properties. A portion should be dried for winter. 



Soutliermrood. — This belongs to the same genus as the above, but, 

 unlike Wormwood, it has a peculiarly agreeable smell, which has long 

 rendered it a popular favourite in any cottage-garden. It was formerly 

 cultivated for its medicinal properties also. It is a hardy Evergreen 

 shrub, and a native of the East. It is propagated by cuttings in spring, 

 and will succeed on any soil. 



Horeliound or Catmint. — A perennial, a native of Britain, and re- 

 markable for the curious eff'ect it has upon cats, which are fond of it, 

 and love to roll themselves amongst it, and to chew it. The leaves 



