1092 



Gardening for Amateurs 



crops are easily grown under glass in a warm 

 frame. The flavour is better than of Mar- 

 rows grown out of doors. For planting out 

 of doors seeds should be sown the last week 

 in March in warmth, the seedlings subse- 

 quently being potted into 5-inch pots in 

 ordinary soil and grown near the glass in a 

 slightly heated frame. Let these be grown 

 as hardily and dwarf as possible, and give 

 air freely on all occasions when the weather 

 is favourable. Plant them out late in May 

 or first week in June. Protect from frost 

 with small handlights or French cloches ; fail- 

 ing these, with Spruce or Laurel branches. 



Moore's Vegetable Cream, Long Green, 

 and Large Cream are good sorts. Of the 

 bush varieties the following are the best : 

 Tender and True and Pen-y-Byd. 



The Herb Border. Generally the best 

 time of the year to plant or sow herbs is in 

 spring, late in March or early in April. To 

 keep the border serviceable it is necessary 

 to attend to it every spring ; there will be 

 gaps to fill up, or overgrown plants to divide 

 and replant, and losses to make good by 

 seed sowing in some cases. 



Balm. A perennial herb, occasionally 

 asked for in the kitchen. There is a varie- 

 gated form of it which is sometimes used as 

 a decorative garden plant. It is propagated 

 by dividing the roots in spring. 



Basil, Sweet. This is a tender annual. 

 The leaves are much in request for flavour- 

 ing purposes. Sow seed in boxes of fine soil 

 early in spring in warmth. Prick out the 

 seedlings into boxes at 3 inches apart, grow 

 in a cold frame, and plant out early in 

 summer. As soon as the plants are mature 

 cut them down, tie up in small bunches, and 

 dry for use. 



Borage. This is in much request as an 

 ingredient of the claret cup and for other 

 flavouring purposes. Sow seed out of doors 

 early in April in drills 16 inches apart, and 

 thin the plants to the same distance apart 

 in the row. 



Chervil. This makes a useful addition to 

 salads ; it may be employed as a substitute 

 for Parsley when this is scarce after a hard 

 winter. Sow thinly once a month during 

 summer in drills 1 foot apart. It is the 

 young leaves which are most appreciated. 

 Sow in August for winter and spring supply. 



Fennel. A handsome, vigorous plant, with 

 graceful foliage, most generally used for 

 garnishing. Sow out of doors early in 

 April. Treat in the same way as Borage. 



Mint. The chief favourite among herbs. 

 It is extensively forced in winter as a good 

 paying crop. Propagate by dividing the roots 

 in winter or spring while the roots are dor- 

 mant. It grows best in a moist position, and 

 should be replanted every two or three years. 



Parsley. An April sowing should be 

 made on partially shaded ground ; it will 

 then stand the summer heat better. The 

 July sowing should be in a sheltered position, 

 as it will have to stand the winter. Sow a 

 month later, if possible, in a cold frame 

 where the plants can be protected from hard 

 frost. For summer Parsley the soil must be 

 deeply dug and a moderate amount of 

 manure dug in. The winter supply ought to 

 be grown on poorer soil. Sow in drills at 1 foot 

 apart for early and late crops ; for summer 

 use sow at 16 inches apart. Thin the plants, 

 when quite small, to 5 inches apart. Parsley 

 may be safely transplanted at this size if 

 desired. Good varieties are Wyatt's Gar- 

 nishing, Splendid Curled, and Fern Leaved. 



Sage. This is an indispensable herb, in 

 common use in the kitchen. It succeeds in 

 a rather dry soil and partially shaded posi- 

 tion. Cuttings should be inserted under a 

 glass hand-light in a shady position in July 

 or August. Plant in rows 18 inches apart, 

 and allow the same distance in the row. 



Tarragon. For winter use the plants 

 should be cut down in summer and dried. 

 The plants may also be forced like Mint 

 for winter use. Lift the roots, plant in 

 shallow boxes, and bring them into warmth 

 as wanted. 



Thyme. This is propagated from seed and 

 by cuttings. Sow seed in a warm position in 

 April in drills 10 inches apart, and thin the 

 plants to 6 inches apart in the row. Cut- 

 tings should be taken in autumn and planted 

 in sandy soil in a warm border. The Lemon 

 Thyme is sometimes used in odd corners of 

 the garden instead of grass, the pleasant 

 aroma arising from it when walked upon 

 being pleasant and refreshing. It is also 

 sometimes used as edging for garden walks. 

 It is propagated by division of the roots in 

 spring. 



