156 THE BOOK OF HERBS 



is appreciated chiefly in the winter ; it should be sown 

 in August, and again in September to last through the 

 winter and early spring. Dry fairly mellow soil will 

 suit it, and it may be left to grow as it was sowed. 



Rocket. — " This is an agreeable addition to cresses 

 and mustard, early in spring. It should be sown in a 

 warm border in February, and during the next months 

 if a succession is wanted. After the first rough leaf 

 has appeared, thin out the plants." ^ The Purslanes are 

 both tender annuals, Green Purslane {Portulaca olerecea) 

 being rather hardier than Golden Purslane (P. sativa). 

 They should be sowed on hot-beds in February or 

 March ; or in a warm border, they may be sowed in 

 drills during fine weather in May. They should be left 

 as they grow, and when the leaves are gathered they 

 must be cut low, and then a fresh crop will appear. 

 Purslane must be watered occasionally in very dry, hot 

 weather. 



The above remarks pretend to being no more than 

 bare outlines of the art of growing certain herbs. Many 

 of these have outlived their reputation, and are now 

 cultivated for no practical purpose, but for sentiment's 

 sake, or for their aromatic grace, by those who " take 

 a delight " in such things. To these I hope these sugges- 

 tions may be useful. Any person desiring to bring 

 a special herb to perfection is hardly likely to need 

 reference to one of the many admirable gardening 

 dictionaries, for it is not probable that he would look to 

 an amateur for solid instruction on such points. To con- 

 clude, Leonard Meager ^ gives some pithy directions 

 which it is well to bear in mind : — 



" In setting herbs ever observe to leave the tops no 

 more than a handful above the ground, and the roots a 

 foot under the earth. 



" Twine the roots of the herbs you set, unless too 



1 Loudon. ^ " New Art of Gardening." 



