114 OUR ROCK-GARDEN 



small, the blossoms in the aggregate form a con- 

 spicuous termination to the slender stems. The 

 leaves are given off in rings at intervals on 

 the stalks, and this radiate effect is a very 

 charming feature. On first gathering the plant 

 the odour is but slight ; but if we suspend 

 a bunch of it in a room it will, as it 

 dries, give forth a most fragrant and powerful 

 smell. Tusser, 1 we see, places it in his list of 

 plants that the good housewife will seek " to still 

 in Sommer," amongst the other herbs commended 

 being " betanie, endive, eiebright, saxefrage, sorell, 

 and suckerie." Woodruff is recommended by him 

 "for sweete waters and cakes," while in Germany 

 it is still a principal ingredient in the favourite 

 beverage Maitrank. In the Fatherland the plant 

 is the Waldmeister, or lord of the wood a name 

 that certainly seems to overweight with dignity a 

 plant so delicate and unassuming. The French 

 Reine des bois, though almost equally high-sounding, 

 we may accept as a testimony to its charm. An 

 older German name is Herzfreydt heart's joy ; and 

 Gerard tells us that the plant " is put into wine to 

 make a man merry and to be good for the heart 

 and liver." 2 



1 " Fiue Hundred Pointes of Good Husbandrie," by 

 Thomas Tusser, originally published in 1557, but running 

 through many subsequent editions. 



* We must warn our readers that ordinarily there is very 



