438 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



of recent years found a large and ready sale. 

 During the months of April and May the wild 

 garlic may be found growing in profusion in 

 many a woodland and on the steep banks of 

 many a valley. A few years ago, when fishing 

 in Cumberland, I saw it growing in the greatest 

 profusion on the banks of the river Lowther. 

 One spot in particular, where the ground rose 

 abruptly from the edge of the stream, was, for 

 -the distance of nearly a hundred yards, com- 

 pletely covered with the white flowers of this 

 plant. Where it is at all luxuriant it is by no 

 means a friendly herb to the farmer, for so strong 

 is its flavour, that the milk of the cows which have 

 fed upon it is rendered unsaleable, and the flesh 

 of their calves is said to be also tainted, a flavour 

 which may possibly enhance its value in the 

 estimation of the garlic-loving foreigner, but 

 which would militate against its sale in an 

 English market. 



The florists, in order, I presume, to advance its 

 sale, have given it the name of star-flower. It 

 is also known by the name of bear's garlic. The 

 leaves were formerly used as a vegetable by the 

 country people, though nowadays the practice is 

 discontinued, since they are able to grow onions 

 and shallots in their gardens and allotments, and 

 those, too, often of a size and quality unattainable 

 by the gardeners of their richer neighbours. 



The origin of the appellation of herb- Robert is, 

 apparently, unknown, although some authors have 



