On the Cultivation of Herbs and Salads. 107 



these fields, that on approaching that locality in the summer 

 time, with the wind in the southwest, the combination of 

 odors can be easily discovered in the air which is "redolent 

 with sweetness." Mr. Richard Arthur, brother to a large 

 grower there, showed me a large bottle of oil of Lavender, 

 whose value, he said, was six guineas. Every bit of ground 

 in front of the cottage doors is full of herbs, which receive 

 universal attention here. In some places I saw a great deal 

 of Groundsel and Chickweed getting ready for the London 

 cage birds. Hundreds of the poor of our great metropolis 

 make a living by travelling into various country districts after 

 birds' food ; and many of them have a knowledge of wild 

 herbs which they bring home for the herbalists beyond what 

 might be expected of them. I may state here in a prelimi- 

 nary way, that herbs ought not to be planted in any hole or 

 corner ; they should be grown in full sun-light, as fine flavor 

 depends upon exposure just as much in their case as in that 

 of the finest fruits or vegetables. I hope that gardeners will 

 not think I am instructing them in this matter. They must 

 bear in mind that all the world are not gardeners, and that 

 amateurs and tradesmen generally want to know something 

 about herbs ; and as my articles are likely to be largely 

 quoted in provincial papers, I hope that some good may be 

 derived from them. 



Herb management is not very well understood ; in the 

 case of liquorice, for instance, writers on this subject say — 

 Plant cuttings of the root (query, which roots,) IS inches 

 apart in February ; again, as respects mint, they direct di- 

 visions of the roots to be put in in February or March, but 

 this is not the kind of information that is wanted ; there is a 

 large number of herbs not in daily use, to which the above 

 ma}^ apply, and which may be passed over by saying — divide 

 the roots, plant in March : but of those in great demand, it 

 is like saying skin a hare and cook it — but how ? I am also 

 prepared to state that the most luxuriant herbage and finest 

 blossoms are to be obtained from plants put in in November, 

 because they have ample time to make good roots before 

 winter. Mint, perhaps, may be an exception, for if this is 



