138 



THE HERB-GARDEN 



Britannica of the ancients. We grow two kinds, 

 the English and the Danish. They always interest 

 sailors. 



Enthusiasts wishing to start a physic-garden 

 can do a great deal towards furnishing it by 

 seeking for themselves the healing Herbs they 

 want. Perhaps it is easier for us to find the plants 

 than for most, because we are so close to the sea, 

 near which so many of them grow, and not far 

 from the Broads, a fine hunting-ground for the 

 botanist. Such a physic-garden might, perhaps, 

 be thought more a museum than a practical garden. 

 But why should it not be of practical use some- 

 times ? Remedies are not really better for being 

 done up with chemist's cunning in all the bravery 

 of white paper, scarlet sealing-wax, and pink string. 

 These are attractive, no doubt, and aids to faith 

 (which is half the battle), but supposing customary 

 medicines happened to be out of reach, and there 

 was anybody at hand who understood how to use 

 plain remedies from the garden or field, how 

 pleasant such remedies would be, and how welcome 

 if we only believed in them ! 



In olden times such a garden formed part of 

 every domain of dignity. It was generally 'My 

 Lady's Garden,' and my lady had learned the 



