13° 



MY GARDEN. 



There are various plants which are grown in nearly every garden, 

 which are, nevertheless, of but little use. Rue {Ruta graveolens, fig. 202) 

 is one of these. It is said to be an acro-narcotic poison in quantity, but 

 is never used in medicine, and I do not know that any medical man has 

 prescribed it with any good effect. It is easily propagated by cuttings. 

 Shakspeare speaks of rue on several occasions : — 



" I'll set a bank of rue, sour herb of grace." 



" For you there's rosemary and rue : these keep 

 Seeming .and savour all the winter long." 



Shakspeare, Winter's Tale. 



Chamomile {Anthemis nobilis, fig. 203) is a plant which has been 

 used for a long period. It is grown by the acre around us, and the 

 flowers are gathered to be sold by the herbalists. It is a perennial, 

 and we grow a plant or two. Pereira considers it to be a useful 

 stomachic and tonic ; he further states that flannel bags filled with the 

 flowers and soaked in hot water are useful topical agents. It is 

 doubtful whether the flowers add to the benefit of the hot water. 



We have a plant of Hyssop {Hyssopus officittalis, fig. 204). It is 

 said to be occasionally used in cookery, and sometimes in medicine; 



Fig. 203. — Chamomile. 



Fig. 204. — Hyssop. 



Fig. 205. — Horehound. 



but I believe that it is equally unimportant for either purpose. The 

 plant may be propagated by division. 



Horehound [Marrubium vulgare, fig. 205) is grown with us. It is 

 a popular remedy for a cough, but is seldom or ever ordered by the 

 doctor. It is sold in the shops in a candied state, and is used as a 



