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Gardening for Amateurs 



of June and during July the yellow flower- 

 heads, resembling little balls, appear in 

 quantity and render the bush of more than 

 ordinary decorative value. It may be 

 grouped along the front of the shrubbery or 

 mixed flower border or used as an edging. 

 On account of the greyish-white foliage, 

 which persists during winter, this is a favourite 

 plant for use in colour beds or borders of 

 shrubs and in summer bedding. As a small 

 hedge, 9 to 18 inches in height, it is most 

 effective, and withstands cutting with shears 

 almost if not quite as well as Privet. The 

 Lavender Cotton has a strong, rather agree- 

 able fragrance, which is distasteful to moths, 

 so dried shoots are sometimes used in the 

 household drawers and wardrobes in prefer- 

 ence to naphthaline balls. 



Hyssop. Hyssopus officinalis is a South 

 European dwarf evergreen shrub of which 

 both leaves and flowers are bitter and 

 aromatic, and are used when green or dry 

 for seasoning. Hyssop is propagated by 

 seeds sown out of doors in April or May, 

 from cuttings inserted under a handlight 

 on a sheltered border during summer, and 

 by division in autumn. The plants need a 

 fairly warm position in light and well- 

 drained soil. If the ground is heavy, work 

 in leaf-mould, sand, and old mortar rubble 

 previous to planting. There are three sorts, 

 having red, blue, and white flowers respec- 

 tively. Replace the old plants by young 

 ones every third or fourth year. 



Wormwood, Tarragon, and Southern- 

 wood. These are species of Artemisia 

 possessing bitter and tonic properties. 

 Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) has 

 finely divided greyish- green leaves which 

 give the plants a decidedly ornamental 



aspect. Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) 

 is the source of Tarragon vinegar and oil 

 of Tarragon, and is used for seasoning. 

 The Common Wormwood (Artemisia ab- 

 sinthium) is a British plant frequently 

 cultivated in cottage gardens, possessing 

 bitter and tonic properties. Artemisias are 

 increased by cuttings in spring and early 

 summer and by division in March. They 

 prefer a well-drained rather light soil. 

 Collect and dry the shoots in autumn. 

 Fairly hard pruning is desirable in February 

 or March, as the plants grow rapidly, reaching 

 from 2 to 4 feet in height. They add interest 

 and beauty to the flower and shrubbery 

 borders. 



Thyme. Species of Thymus (Thyme) are 

 among the most widely cultivated herbs for 

 household use, and they are ornamental 

 garden plants, thriving in dry, stony soils. 

 The Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is 

 native of Spain and Italy. In a dried and 

 green state it is largely used in soups, sauces, 

 etc., the flavour being aromatic and agree- 

 able to most palates. The Lemon Thyme 

 (Thymus serpyllum citriodorus) is used for 

 similar purposes. The best Thymes for 

 garden decoration are Golden Lemon Thyme 

 (T. citriodorus aureus), Silver Lemon Thyme 

 (T. citriodorus argenteus), 6 to 9 inches high ; 

 Woolly-leaved Mountain Thyme (T. lanu- 

 ginosus) and the Wild Mountain Thyme 

 (serpyllum) both 3 inches high. These 

 may worthily find a place in the rock 

 garden, or be used as an edging to a border 

 by the side of a gravel walk. Propagation 

 is by division in early spring and by raising 

 plants from seeds. These should be sown 

 preferably in pans of sandy soil in a cold 

 frame from April to June. 



Bastard Trenching. A good deal has 

 been written about trenching, some authori- 

 ties declaring that the proceeding is nothing 

 but beneficial, while others consider it folly 

 to bring crude subsoil to the surface to plant 

 and sow in it. The novice will be well 

 advised to carry out what is known as " bas- 

 tard trenching " at least for a few years, as 

 by this means the under-soil is gradually 

 improved before being finally brought to the 



surface. To bastard trench a plot first take 

 off the top spit at one end to a width of two 

 feet, and wheel this to the end where the work 

 will be completed. The second spit is then 

 well broken up, and plenty of decaying 

 garden rubbish worked in, while a layer of 

 manure is placed at the top. Mark off 

 another two feet, and turn the top spit from 

 this on to the other. If this is repeated 

 annually, two feet of good soil will result. 



