124 THE HERB-GARDEN 



It is pleasant to know that sweet odours are not 

 only harmless, but actually beneficial, and I am 

 convinced that if our London florists were to make 

 more of a feature of providing us with hardy, 

 durable, fragrant foUage, as well as flowers, the 

 public would be glad. They might give us branches 

 of Sweet Bay, Myrtle, Rosemary, Southernwood, 

 and all the sweet-leafed Geraniums, with bunches 

 of Lemon Thyme, and that exquisitely scented 

 Lemon Mint of which I have already spoken. 

 Bunches of green and purple Sage, too, would find 

 many admirers. In a sick-room I have known a 

 nosegay of nothing but Herbs and fragrant leaves 

 give more pleasure than anything. Their way of 

 not giving up their scent unless asked to do so is a 

 positive advantage, as it is impossible for them to 

 become oppressive. A belief that sweet scents are 

 wholesome is very widespread. The Malays stuff" 

 their beds and pillows with the fragrant Herb 

 from which patchouli is made, and the name 

 they have given this plant means 'fragrant and 

 healthy.' Eucalyptol has been detected in Rose- 

 mary, Sage, and Lavender, and many flower and 

 leaf scents are known to be both antiseptic and 

 germicidal. 



Modern research has pro\^ed, too, that ozone is 



