128 MY GARDEN. 



can hardly be realized without being seen. The plant yields an essen- 

 tial oil, largely used in perfumery, and a considerable proportion of 

 that which is made in England is obtained from plants grown in our 

 locality. The flowers are gathered and distilled. The variety em- 

 ployed is propagated by division in spring. It yields some produce 

 the first year, it is in its prime the second year, and is generally 



Fig. 194.— Lavender. 



P'lG. 195. —Rosemary Fig. ig6. — Tobacco. 



destroyed the third year, as it is apt to die in winter. It requires con- 

 tinual change of ground, but is reported to be a most profitable crop. 



" Here's flowers for you : 

 Hot lavender, mints, savory, marjoram ; 

 The marigold, that goes to bed with the sun, 

 And with him rises weeping : these are flowers 

 Of middle summer, and, I think, they are given 

 To men of middle age."— Shakspeare, Winter^s Tale. 



We also grow a Rosemary {Rosmarinus offidnalis, fig. 195) plant, 

 which has a fine volatile oil, and is said to give the particular flavour 

 to Narbonne honey, as the plants abound in that district, and the 

 bees collect the honey from their flowers. 



" There's rosemary : that's for remembrance." — Shakspeare. 



We grow a plant or two of Tobacco {Nicotiana, fig. 196), rather as 

 a handsome ornamental plant than for any use. 



In most years Basil {Ocymum basilicum, fig. 197) is grown in my 

 garden. It is raised from seed in heat, and planted out. It is cut in 



