14 



THE HERB-GARDEN 



ences of opinion among them as to the soil in which 

 they like to live. Rue will not grow near Basil, it 

 was believed, but Rue and the Fig-tree are in 

 league. Dill, Coriander, Mallows, and Chervil love 

 to be ' set or sowne ' together, while Radish and 

 Hyssop are at enmity, and refuse to have anything 

 to do with each other. 



Yet sometimes in a small garden, in spite of the 

 hkes and dislikes of the plants, we are obliged, for 

 want of space, to ask the different families to dwell 

 side by side. It is wonderful how a little manage- 

 ment gets over difficulties. The Mints can be well 

 nourished at the roots, and so kept in a good 

 temper, and the lovers of rocky places can be given 

 nooks and corners amid edgings of stone along the 

 borders. Thus all are satisfied. As a rule. Herbs 

 demand a somewhat dry soil and perfect drainage. 



Whether we prepare and plant our garden in 

 spring or autumn depends on circumstances. If 

 roughish ground is taken for the purpose, a good 

 deal has to be done, and autumn is the best time 

 to begin. Our site selected, the ground may be 

 cleared, dug over, and the beds for the sowing of 

 spring annuals prepared. Even when the ground 

 is already fit for use, the question whether to plant 

 perennials in spring or autumn is always difficult. 



