THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 251 



But watch your treasure vigilantly. Winter is 

 near, and soon you must have enough covering 

 over your trench to keep out the frost, a foot 

 or more of leaves, straw, or some clean litter. 

 There is nothing better than leaves, which cost 

 only the gathering. From now till April, when 

 you want a head or more of celery, open the 

 trench at the lower end, and take out the crisp 

 white or golden heads, and thank the kindly 

 Providence that planted a garden as the best place 

 in which to put man, and woman also. * 



GARNISHING AND POT HERBS. 



" There 's fennel for you ; there 's rue for you." 

 Strange and involuntary is the law of association ! 

 I can never see the garnishing and seasoning herbs 

 of the garden without thinking of the mad words 

 of distraught Ophelia. I fancy, however, that we 

 are all practical enough to remember the savory 

 soups and dishes rendered far more appetizing 

 than they could otherwise have been by these 

 aromatic and pungent flavors. I will mention 

 only a few of the popular sorts. 



The seeds of fennel may be sown in April about 

 three quarters of an inch deep, and the plants 

 thinned to fifteen inches apart. Cut off the seed- 

 stalks to increase the growth of foliage. 



