GARDENS PAST AND PRESENT 



rampion, and chives all these come to mind as 

 being used in some way or other either as season- 

 ing or salading. 



The " physicall herbes to serve for the spe- 

 cial uses of a family " were many and varied. 

 Amongst these peppermint and horehound were 

 conspicuous, with dill and caraway, valerian and 

 French mallows, elecampane and chamomile, herb 

 of grace (which was rue) and liquorice. Others 

 there were, such as " dragons " (Arum dracun- 

 culus) and monk's rhubarb or patience a kind 

 of dock some of which may possibly have been 

 of more doubtful efficacy for the domestic medi- 

 cine chest. Amongst them all the "blessed 

 thistle " was sure to find a place, as a safe and 

 potent antidote against plague or other appalling 

 sickness. 



Some of these quaint things, like the pretty Barn- 

 staple balm, might well be nurtured in gardens 

 to add old-world interest to them ; but especially 

 would I choose chamomile to grow over some edge 

 of a pathway. It is a herb which will " perfume 

 the air most delightfully, not passed by as the rest, 

 but being trodden upon and crushed," though it 

 is not of the three burnet, wild thyme, and water 

 mints of which Bacon bids us "to set whole 

 alleys, to have the pleasure when you walk or 

 tread." 



What shall be said of the fruits, which after all 

 are the crown and glory of the walled kitchen 

 garden ? Oh, luxury of garden luxuries ! with its 

 well-trained cherries and plums and peaches, its 



