SAGE CUTTINGS 157 



the flowering plants themselves be garnished with 

 its beauty. 



' Sage is one of the most useful of garden herbs, 

 and may be grown from either seeds or cuttings. 

 Spring is the usual season for sowing the seeds, 

 although they can be put in now in a shady spot 

 and firm soil. Cuttings may also be taken out 

 now, choosing those shoots that do not show a 

 flower head at the top ; they will root steadily in a 

 fairly moist soil, and unless the sun is very bright 

 will not need any shading. I have seen gardeners 

 put a spadeful or two of earth into the heart of a 

 sage-bush, and the growths thus covered soon take 

 root ; they are then separated from the old bush 

 and planted alone. Thyme — both common and 

 lemon — is another herb much in request for 

 culinary requirements. It may be raised from 

 seeds or cuttings or by dividing the plant. An 

 open position is essential, as fiill exposure to the air 

 increases the aromatic properties, much of which is 

 lost when the plant is smothered up with other 

 things. For keeping purposes thyme should be 

 cut when at the height of its flowering. 



' Of mint several varieties are grown, but the 

 spear-mint is the most useful. Mint does not pro- 

 duce seeds in our climate, but is easily increased by 



