118 OUR ROCK-GARDEN 



besides the " pun-provoking thyme" the euphrasy, 

 the " marjoram sweet " and other plants, the lavender 

 found a welcome, the herb 



"Whose spikes of azure bloom 



Shall be erewhile in arid bundles bound, 

 To lurk amidst the labours of her loom, 



And crown her kerchiefs clean with mickle rare 

 perfume." 



It also occurs in various old lists as a "strewing 

 herb," with "bassel, baulme, isop, tanzie, margrom" 

 and other fragrant plants. The plant is botanically 

 the Lavandula spica, the generic name being from the 

 Latin lavare, to wash, from the plant being used in 

 classic times as an unguent to anoint the body after 

 the bath. The lavender grows very freely from 

 cuttings, and its masses of pale grey foliage form 

 a very welcome contrast to the vegetation, while its 

 fragrance is an added charm. " It is of a strong 

 smell, and yet pleasant enough to such as doe loue 

 strong savours," writes more guardedly one of the 

 old herbalists. It thrives best on a somewhat light 

 and poor soil. 



The " marjoram sweet" finds a welcome place 

 in our garden, as its general colour effect is of a 

 brownish crimson. It may not unfrequently be 

 found on dry hillsides and bordering the roads, 

 and more especially in a chalk or limestone 

 district, and we must, as far as may be, reproduce 



