168 THE GARDENER. [April 



In some countries it is used instead of tea, and also said to be smoked 

 like tobacco. It was, and still is, a favourite of herb doctors. We can 

 recommend it from experience, with honey and vinegar, as one of the 

 best gargles for inflammatory sore -throat. Sage is a native of the 

 south of Europe, and will succeed in any light well-drained soil, pre- 

 ferring a warm situation. It is generally propagated by cuttings of 

 the young shoots, as soon as they can be got, about the beginning of 

 summer. The cuttings should be inserted in a light sharp soil, under 

 handlights, and shaded and watered till rooted. When hardened off a 

 little, the plants should be lifted carefully, and planted out on the 

 border, about 15 inches apart each way, and watered. The after-cul- 

 ture consists in stirring the soil about the plants, and keeping it free 

 from weeds. A little light manure should be forked in about the 

 plants in spring or autumn. The tops should be cut off before flower- 

 ing, and dried for winter use. If this is delayed until it is too late 

 for the plants to make a second short growth before frost sets in, they 

 will frequently perish, or at least be greatly injured during the winter. 

 Sage may also be propagated, in an emergency, by seed, and by split- 

 ting the old plants into pieces, with a bit of root attached to each ; but 

 by cuttings is the best plan. 



Tarragon, Ferennial. — An aromatic herb : a native of Siberia. It 

 is used for flavouring various dishes. As a cheese herb, with mustard 

 and cress, it is in request every day in the year. It requires a good 

 deal of attention to keep up a stock of it, particularly as a good bit 

 has to be taken up for forcing in many places. It must have a light 

 rich soil and a warm corner. It is propagated by division of the 

 roots in spring, when about starting into growth. The ground should 

 have a good dressing of decayed hot-bed manure, be dug deeply, and 

 the roots be planted in rows, about 1 foot apart each way. The 

 crowns must be protected against slugs, which are very fond of the 

 young growths, and eat them off as they appear. Keep the ground 

 cleaned and stirred during summer. The stems may be cut and dried 

 for winter use, but it is seldom asked for in this state when it is forced. 

 It stands the winter better when the stems are left uncut till spring, 

 and it is a good plan to strew some litter over the bed in winter 

 as a protection against frost. Unless Tarragon is taken up and re- 

 planted frequently — almost every year — it is apt to die off, and it will 

 be found advisable to keep this in mind when a good stock is required. 

 Eor forcing, it is better to have a stock in pots two years old, and then 

 there will be no danger of a blank occurring in the supply in autumn, 

 when the stems of the out-door stock begin to ripen off and get yellow. 

 The roots may be lifted in November or December, and potted 

 amongst good soil in 12 -inch pots. Force gently during the winter ; 



