The Herb Garden 131 



seen them in New England parlors forming part of 

 a winter posy ; this, I suppose, in neighborhoods 

 where Tansy was little used at funerals. 



If an herb garden had no other reason for exist- 

 ence, let me commend it to the attention of those 

 of ample grounds and kindly hearts, for a special 

 purpose as a garden for the blind. Our many 

 flower-charities furnish flowers throughout the sum- 

 mer to our hospitals, but what sweet-scented flowers 

 are there for those debarred from any sight of 

 beauty ? Through the past summer my daughters 

 sent several times a week, by the generous carriage 

 of the Long Island Express Company, boxes of wild 

 flowers to any hospital of their choice. What could 

 we send to the blind ? The midsummer flowers of 

 field and meadow gratified the sight, but scent was 

 lacking. A sprig of Sweet Fern or Bayberry was the 

 only resource. Think of the pleasure which could 

 be given to the sightless by a posy of sweet-scented 

 leaves, by Southernwood, Mint, Balm, or Basil, 

 and when memory was thereby awakened in those 

 who once had seen, what tender thoughts ! If this 

 book could influence the planting of an herb garden 

 for the solace of those who cannot see the flowers 

 of field and garden, then it will not have been writ- 

 ten in vain. 



