CHAP. XXVII VILLA GARDENING ' 499 



and planted out in a warm sheltered situation, 6 inches apart. 

 The seeds may be sown on a south border and covered with rich 

 light soil early in May, and be left to grow on the seedbed all 

 through the summer. Basil is used in a green state, but for 

 winter use it should be cut when showing flower, dried, and placed 

 in wide -mouthed bottles, and tightly corked. If green Basil is 

 required in winter, a sowing may be made thinly iu June, the 

 plants being pricked into 5 -inch pots, and plunged out all the 

 summer, having all flowers picked off". They should be moved 

 into a house where a little warmth can be given before frost comes, 

 as the Basil is a tender plant. 



Borage. — This plant is very easily naturalised. I have not 

 sown any seeds for years, yet always have plenty. It may be 

 sown in March and again in April or May. Its flower is a pretty 

 blue, and has a showy appearance in early spring in pots in the 

 greenhouse. Borage is chiefly used for flavouring cooling drinks 

 in summer, such as claret or champagne cups. 



Burnet. — This is a native plant ; it is not particular as to 

 soil or situation, but does best in rather light soil. It may be 

 raised from seeds in March, thinned out to 8 or 9 inches apart, or 

 propagated by division of the crowns in spring. The plant is a 

 perennial, and is used chiefly in flavouring salads, cooling drinks, 

 etc. The flowers should be removed as they appear. 



Carraway. — This plant is chiefly grown for its seeds, which 

 are used by confectioners. The plant has ornamental Fernlike 

 foliage, and will grow freely anywhere iu good land of a free open 

 texture. It is best sown in drills 9 inches apart in spring, the 

 plants to be thinned when large enough to 8 inches apart, and 

 kept clean by frequent hoeings. There is a tuberous-rooted Car- 

 raway which will probably become popular when better known. 

 It is very prolific, the tubers being white, from 2 to 3 inches long, 

 and about half an inch in diameter. It may be eaten raw, cooked 

 iu various ways, and used in soups. 



Chamomile. — This is a white-flowered native plant, much used 

 in medicine. There are two varieties, one bearing single and the 

 other double flowers ; the latter is the kind chiefly grown. It is 

 propagated in spring by division and subdivision of the roots, 

 which are planted on well -worked land in April, early in the 

 month, one foot apart each way. Fix the plants firmly in the 

 ground. After they have become established, if the land is at all 

 loose, it is a good plan to tread the bed over to firm it ; the feet 

 may pass over the plants as well as the intervals. Select a time 

 when the surface is quite dry, and stir it up with the Dutch hoe 

 immediately after, to prevent a hard crust being formed. Gather 



