CHAP, xxvii VILLA GARDENING 501 



cuttings in April, and fi-om seeds sown in spring ; the young plants 

 should be placed from 12 to 15 inches apart. 



Lavenber. — This is a most interesting and ornamental plant, 

 ])artaking of the character of a small low bush, with woody stems. 

 Groups of 10 or 12 plants are very effective on the lawn. They 

 look best in some retired spot on some shelving bank, where the 

 soil is dry and warm. Lavender is easily propagated from seeds 

 sown in spring, and by cuttings in autumn in a shady situation, 

 and will root with more certainty if a handUght is jilaced over 

 them. The value of the flowers is too well known to need any 

 comment. The spikes should be cut as soon as the flowers are 

 open. 



Mint. — There are several varieties of this plant, but all require 

 the same treatment, so I need not separate them. The one chiefly 

 grown for culinary purposes is the Lamb or Spear Mint. It is a 

 native plant, and therefore is quite hardy. I have found it an 

 advantage to have beds in two aspects, one on a south border for 

 early spring use, and the other on a cool shady border, to produce 

 green Mint in summer. It is easily propagated by division of the 

 roots when growth is just commencing in spring ; or by cuttings, 

 which may be taken with a root attached when the young shoots 

 are 3 or 4 inches long. I like the latter plan best. The cuttings 

 are easily taken by thrusting a knife into the ground, severing the 

 underground stem, when the little shoot will lift up a perfect 

 plant with plenty of roots, and may be at once planted on a new 

 bed, 6 inches apart each way. For winter and early spring green 

 Mint may be obtained by potting up some roots and placing them 

 in heat. The stock for drying should be cut when in flower in 

 August. A top-dressing of old leaf-mould will be beneficial early 

 in spring, just before the young shoots lireak through the soil. 



MAR.IORAM (Sweet or Knotted). — This is in constant demand, 

 and generally treated as an annual, l3ut the plants will live through 

 a mild winter. I have some plants now growing in a warm corner 

 that stood out all last winter. It is usually sown under glass in 

 April, hardened off", and planted out 6 inches apart in May in a 

 warm sunny spot. A few plants shoidd be pricked off" in pots, 

 and be kept under glass for early use. Lift some in autumn, 

 selecting those which have been cut in and are just breaking 

 again ; pot them into 5 or 6-inck pots. These, if placed in a 

 genial atmosphere near the glass, will suj^ply green Marjoram all 

 winter, when it cannot be obtained in the open air. Where plants 

 are kept in pots all tlie winter, a stock may be worked up from 

 cuttings for i^lanting out in summer ; but, as the plant seeds freely, 

 raising them from seeds gives perhaps j^the least trouble. Cut for 



