182 MORE POT-POURRI 



Rue, which is sometimes grown in kitchen gardens, 

 though I think seldom used now in cookery, is hardly 

 ever grown in shrubberies, where it makes in winter a 

 charming feature. I find few people know that the 

 French name for the plant is exactly the same as in 

 English. Some people think the strong odour disagree- 

 able, but I myself think it delicious. It is very useful 

 to pick for winter bouquets, and the beautiful gray -blue 

 of its foliage contrasts well with ordinary evergreens. 

 If picked hard, that is as good as cutting it back, and 

 only promotes its growth. It is very easy to grow 

 either from cuttings, divisions of the tufts, or seeds. 

 Dryness, though making it look rather poor in summer, 

 does it no harm for the next winter. Another plant that 

 does admirably here in the light soil is Santolina (Lav- 

 ender Cotton), and should always be grown for its 

 pretty hoary foliage. It mixes well with some flowers, 

 and is one of those plants that surprises one by its 

 absence from any garden. 



The lower part of the stage in my larger greenhouse 

 I do not mean my little show one near the drawing- 

 room has been a veritable widow's cruse for me this 

 winter. We have constantly had Mushrooms from our 

 bed, covered with its sheet of corrugated iron, that I 

 mentioned before. 



Lately we have had lots of Button's winter salad, 

 Tarragon, Chives, etc., Cress I do not like Mustard 

 Rhubarb, and Sea -kale. The Watercress in boxes, 

 described before, has done admirably in the frame. My 

 gardener is getting extremely clever at forcing things 

 in this way through the winter. Early in this month, 

 lunching with a neighbour, we had an excellent dish 

 the best I have ever seen of forced green Asparagus. 

 I think next year I must try and grow this too. 



In my opinion, Leeks are far too little used in general 



