98 THE FRUIT-TREE AND SHRUB PRUNER. 



this subject. But from many years' observation of this 

 common and popular plant, I see the greater reason for 

 the remarks concerning it, than upon most of the 

 others. Nineteen out of every twenty who grow this 

 herb seldom treat it properly as to cutting it in ; the 

 consequence is that they generally lose the plants after 

 one or two years. 



Thyme, as a pot-herb or as an edging to flower 

 beds, can never be preserved in a healthy and per- 

 manent condition without due attention to the proper 

 time for cutting it back. I now refer more particularly 

 to the erect- growing sorts. The Thyme plants should 

 be all cut back not later than the middle of August, 

 cutting them down pretty close to the ground ; if in 

 single plants or in beds, take hold of each with the 

 hand, gathering up the entire plant (if not too large for 

 one handful), and holding it quite tight, then with a 

 sharp priming knife cut the whole of the top off evenly 

 to within three or four inches of the ground — three 

 inches are enough as a rule — then move the surface 

 of the ground a little and give a little top-dressing, and 

 by the winter the plants will be well clothed again 

 with an abundant young growth ready for use. They 

 will not then suffer from frosts, as they do when cut 

 back later ; and if not cut back at all they exhaust 

 themselves, get deficient of young stuffing Thyme, and 

 ultimately die. 



As an edging the upright kinds may be clipped with 

 the shears, as is done with Box edgings, not later than 

 the time named above. 



The Golden Thyme, when grown as an edging, must be 

 cut into a state of neatness and compactness by line for 

 a straight edge, and with the edging knife or a pruning 

 knife if otherwise planted. But the annual cutting back 

 must not be neglected in either case if you wish to pre- 

 serve Thyme in good and permanent order. 



The Sage and Savory. 



Each of the above pot-herbs requires annual pruning 

 or cutting back. Sage, as a rule, is best when used in 



