212 THE GARDENER. [May 



the operation of replacing the first stake with a stronger one to support the 

 frame, oue must handle the plants with caution. 



The work which follows is simple enough, as the branchlets will readily fall 

 into their places, and only want tying down to the wire frame. An addition of 

 a little guano to the water in spring, when active growth again commences, will 

 prove of important service in the formation of strong flower-spikes. Regard- 

 ing the time to sow the seed, I prefer March, but a month later will do well 

 enough. The only difference arising from this is, that they are some time longer 

 in arriving at perfection. 



Another consideration which must not be overlooked, is the chance of the 

 plants getting infected by caterpillars. These in their young state are scarcely 

 distinguishable from the leaves, both being alike in colour ; and it is only when 

 the damage is done that their presence and power to destroy can be realised. 

 This plunderer generally shows his appearance in August, is quite a harmless- 

 looking little fellow, scarcely worthy the bother of hunting at first, but his 

 masterly eating powers soon make it apparent what he will do if left to his own 

 discretion. A. Kerr. 



THE HERB BORDER. 



{Continued f 7^0711 page 169.) 

 Thi/me. — Three sorts are cultivated, common narrow-leaved, common 

 broad-leaved, and Lemon Thyme. The two first are used for the 

 same purposes — for seasoning stuffings principally — and it is therefore 

 not needful to grow both. Lemon Thyme is not used so much as the 

 other, but it is preferred for some purposes. The common Thyme is a 

 native of the south of Europe, is an evergreen, and perfectly hardy. 

 It requires a light rich soil, and may be propagated by seed, or by 

 dividing the plants in spring. By seed is the best way to insure 

 vigorous free-growing plants, when it is found necessary to raise a 

 new stock, which is not often, as the same plantation will last for 

 some years. Eor expedition, the seed should be sown in pans, in 

 ;^^arch, covered very slightly with fine soil, and forwarded in a gentle 

 heat. When the plants can be handled conveniently they should be 

 hardened off gradually, and afterwards planted out in rows, 7 or 8 

 inches apart, and about 4 or 5 inches from plant to plant, and watered 

 occasionally till they are established. In favourable situations the 

 seed may be sown at once in the bed in shallow drills, and the seed- 

 lings afterwards thinned out to the above distances apart. When 

 propagated by division, the plants should be taken up about the 

 beginning of April and split up into pieces, and the youngest and 

 best-rooted branches should be selected for planting a fresh bed. The 

 ground should be deeply dug, and otherwise well prepared, and the 

 plants should be watered frequently in dry weather. To insure good 

 roots, the branches are sometimes layered some time before planting, 



