106 



THE HERB-GARDEN 



kindes.' It is impossible to define ' Herb ' exactly, 

 for, like many other words in the English language, 

 the meaning of the word ' Herb ' has changed. 



The word, however, has gained as well as lost. 

 Though now used in a more restricted sense than 

 formerly — I mean in Bible times, as well as times 

 much later — it has come, has it not, to possess 

 a kind of glamour ? ' There is something in the 

 word herb almost as charming and poetic as there 

 is in the word flower. It means to most of us 

 something old - fashioned and sweet - scented and 

 charming, quite as much as something useful.' 

 These words, caught sight of the other day in a 

 book not written for gardeners, expresses exactly 

 the idea. 



It is difficult to see how the line between Herbs 

 and other plants can be drawn quite in the way 

 suggested by Gerarde, because so many flowering 

 things, besides being beautiful and sweetly scented, 

 are also good for meat and medicine, like Roses, 

 Violets, and Lilies. There is, however, an un- 

 written law. We seem to know by instinct what 

 plants belong to the Herb-border, in addition to 

 those that have a natural right there, like the 

 kitchen, confectionery, and medicinal Herbs. 



Those who wish to have brilliant colours in their 



