OF THE GROWING OF HERBS 153 



the ground must be hoed, raked and cleaned of 

 weeds. 



Biennials. — Parsley. — There are many kinds of par- 

 sley, and one specially recommended is the triple-curled 

 variety. All parsleys are raised from seed, and it is a 

 good thing to sow one bed in March and a second in 

 June, thus securing a continual supply all through the 

 winter. The plants want well thinning out, and if the 

 weather be very dry, the last sown should have two or 

 three waterings with weak manure water. To protect 

 them from the frost, a reed-hurdle, or even a few 

 branches of fir, may be used, but, of course, a box-frame 

 and light is the best. Parsley likes a deep soil, not 

 too rich ; and a good quantity of soot worked into it 

 much improves the plants. 



Caraway is raised from seed, which should be sown 

 in the autumn, and it may also be sown in March or April, 

 but the result will not be so good. This plant likes a 

 rich, light soil. Dill should be sown in the spring, 

 either broadcast or in drills, six to twelve inches apart. 

 It may be sown in autumn, but this is not very advisable. 

 Clary is sown in the end of March or in April, and 

 should be transplanted to six to twelve inches apart, 

 when the plants are two or three inches high ; it may 

 also be grown from cuttings. 



Rampions should be thinly sowed in April or May in 

 shady borders. If the plant is grown for use, it must 

 not be allowed to flower, and in this case, it should not 

 be sown till the end of May. The plants should be 

 moderately watered at first (and later if the weather be 

 very dry), and when sufficiently grown, they should be 

 thinned out to three or four inches apart. The roots 

 are fit for use in November. Alexanders or Alisanders, 

 will send up shoots indefinitely, but must be sown afresh 

 every year if wanted for the table. The seed should 

 be sown in drills eighteen inches or more apart, and the 



