430 The Principles of Vegetable -Gardening 



those that persist for a number of years. It is well to 

 grow all the sweet herbs together on one side of the gar- 

 den, whether .they are annual or perennial. It is advis- 

 able to devote a strip of land to this purpose and to grow 

 a clump of a particular herb each year in its accustomed 

 place. Even the perennial species, as sage and hyssop, 

 should be resown or replanted frequently in order to keep 

 the plants in vigorous condition, particularly if the cli- 

 mate is severe and if the plants are not given some win- 

 ter protection. The grower may readily save his own 

 seed by cutting off a few plants when the seeds are 

 nearly ready to be shed and hanging the plants in a dry, 

 cool place, as in a barn. 



The strongest -growing perennial species may be 

 propagated easily by division of the roots. When the 

 clump begins to fail, it is well to dig it up and discard 

 all the older parts of the roots and to replant the 

 younger and more vigorous parts. When such species 

 are grown from seed, they are usually not strong enough 

 to supply a heavy product until the second year, 

 although some of them may give a cutting the first fall 

 if they are started early and if the soil is good. Ordi- 

 narily a space 4 feet square will contain enough of any 

 herb to supply a family, although twice that area may 

 be desired for such popular species as sage, caraway and 

 spearmint. A strip 3 or 4 feet wide along one side of a 

 garden can be made a collecting -place for these herbs; 

 and the place will have more than a commercial or 

 culinary interest. 



Some of the sweet herbs are prized for foliage, and 

 others for seeds or fruits. In fact, the species to which 



