214 OUR ROCK-GARDEN 



back, bone-set, are all testimonies to the belief 

 in its healing efficacy. 



The following rather elaborate preparation "for 

 strengthening and comforting of the backe " we 

 cull from Markham's book "The English House- 

 wife's Household physicke," 1638. "Take a leg 

 of beefe, a handfull of Fennel roots, a handful of 

 Parsley roots, two roots of Comphry, one pound of 

 Raisins of the Sunne, a pound of damaske Prunes, 

 and a quarter of a pound of dates. Put all these 

 together, and boyle them very softe with sixe 

 leaues of Neep, sixe leaues of Clary, twelve leaues 

 of bittany of the wood, and a little harts tongue. 

 When they are sod very softe take them into the 

 same broth againe with a quart of Sacke and a 

 penyworth of large Mace, and of this drinke at 

 your pleasure." 



In association with our comfrey plants we grow 

 that beautiful flower the yellow iris figured on 

 Plate XXI 1 1., since this, too, is a lover of abundant 

 moisture. Like those of the snowdrop, dog-rose, 

 and divers other plants, the buds of the iris will open 

 in water. If, therefore, we gather a bunch of this 

 and bring it into the house, no matter how imma- 

 ture some of the buds may be, they will in turn 

 expand into blossoms, and day after day ensure us a 

 supply of beautiful fresh flowers. 



Other popular names for the plant are yellow 

 flag, fleur-de-lys, fleur-de-luce, sword-flag, and 



