418 



slips as are furnished with roots, being planted out at once where 

 they are to remain. 



The plants raised from young slips generally form the strongest 

 and most bushy plants. 



In raising these plants from seed, which is but seldom practised, 

 it should be sown in April, in a bed of light rich earth, raking it in: 

 the plants soon come up; and when about two or three inches high, 

 should be pricked out, the strongest in nursery rows, half a foot 

 asunder, to gain strength till the autumn or spring following, and 

 then planted out with balls where they are to stand. 



In the after-culture of this species and varieties, all that is re- 

 quisite is the keeping them clean from weeds in summer, cutting 

 down the decayed flower- stalks in autumn, and slightly digging 

 between the rows in the same season, to keep them clean and decent 

 during the winter, &c. But where this digging is not done in the 

 autumn it should not be omitted in the spring. 



The leaves of the Sage should be gathered with care and atten- 

 tion, not to cut the tops too close, to render the plants naked and 

 stubby, especially when late in autumn and winter; in which they 

 would be more liable to suffer from severe frost than when the head 

 is preserved somewhat full and regular: besides, in this state the 

 plants continue longer in a prosperous free growth. 



When, in any old plantation, naked, stubby, or decayed parts 

 occur, they should be cut out, and any straggling irregular growths 

 reduced to order by occasional pruning in spring or summer, by 

 which the plants will more readily emit fresh shoots and form full 

 heads. 



Fresh plantations of Sage should be formed as the old ones 

 decline. 



In continuing them where the ground is much impoverished, a 

 little dry rotten dung should be pointed in lightly, to give more 

 vigour to the plants. 



Culture in the Clary Kind. These in the herbaceous kinds are 

 easily raised from seed, and in the perennial sorts by parting the roots. 



