498 VILLA GARDENING part v 



comiDartment of the garden set apart specially for themselves, and 

 this compartment should be set out in 4-feet beds, one or more to 

 be planted of each kind, according to the demand likely to arise. 

 Though a part of the garden should be given up to herb culture, 

 "rotation of crop" is as necessary here as elsewhere. Young 

 plantations are the best and most prolific. Sage, for instance, 

 should not be permitted to remain on the same bed more than two 

 years. Thyme, I\Iint, and Tarragon should l)e frequently renewed. 

 When an old bed of any kind of plant is done away with, the 

 ground should be manured and turned up deeply in winter, leaving 

 the surface rough, to pulverise and rest till spring, when it might 

 be occupied with one of the annual herbs, such as knotted Mar- 

 joram or Basil. Then the next season it might be planted with 

 cuttings of Sage or Thyme. With judicious management the herb 

 garden might continue to occupy the same site while a constant 

 rotation was going on among the various plants cultivated, and at 

 no time woidd it be uninteresting if rightly managed, so that the 

 herbs need not be relegated to some out-of-the-way corner. 



Angelica. — This is a handsome plant, not commoidy cultivated 

 in this country, flowering early in spring — used more especially in 

 confectionery. It is easily raised from seeds, which may be sown 

 either in August or March. The plants should be thinned from 2 

 to 2i feet apart. They will grow from 3 to 4 feet high. If all 

 flowers are removed the plant becomes perennial in duration ; it 

 likes a damp soil. 



Aniseed. — This is another seldom-grown plant — used chiefly 

 in medicine. Sow in pans or boxes in a warm frame in March, 

 harden off, and plant out 6 inches apart in I\Iay in the same way 

 as Basil is commonly grown. 



Balm. — This is not a culinary herb, but it is in demand for 

 flavoiu-ing claret cup, etc. It is easily increased by division 

 in spring, and should have plenty of space, when it will stand a 

 number of years without transplanting. A root or two may be 

 potted, and forced on gently in spring or at any other season, 

 should there be a demand. For drjing cut just before the blossoms 

 open. Dry in an airy room. 



Basil. — There are two annual forms of this valuable herb 

 commonly gi-own — the Sweet and the Bush. There is not much 

 difference in flavour. One is more dense in habit than the other, 

 and this constitutes the chief difference. Both are annuals, and 

 to obtain them in a condition for use early they should be sown in 

 heat in February or March. I like to sow a pinch of seeds early 

 in February, and grow on in pots for early use. Another sowing 

 is made towards the end of IMarch, which is hardened oft' in May, 



