44 CULINARY HERBS 



sure to leave a hole beneath the plant. I remem- 

 ber having trouble with some lily plants which were 

 not thriving. Supposing that insects were at the 

 roots, I carefully drew the earth away from one 

 side, and found that the earth had not been brought 

 up carefully beneath the bulbs and that the roots 

 were hanging 4 or 5 inches beneath the bulbs in the 

 hole left by the dibble and not properly closed by 

 the careless gardener. 



I therefore warn every dibble user to be sure to 

 crowd over the soil well, especially at the lower end 

 of the hole. For my own part, I rely upon my hands. 

 Digits existed long before dibbles and they are much 

 more reliable. What matter if some soil sticks to 

 them ; it is not unresponsive to the wooing of water! 



LOCATION OF HERB GARDEN 



In general, the most favorable exposure for an 

 herb garden is toward the south, but lacking such 

 an exposure should not deter one from planting 

 herbs on a northern slope if this be the only site 

 available. Indeed, such sites often prove remark- 

 ably good if other conditions are propitious and 

 proper attention is given the plants. Similarly, a 

 smooth, gently sloping surface is especially desir- 

 able, but even in gardens in which the ground is 

 almost billowy the gardener may often take advan- 

 tage of the irregularities by planting the moisture- 

 loving plants in the hollows and those that like dry 

 situations upon the ridges. Nothing like turning 

 disadvantages to account! 



