THE AMATEUR’S KITCHEN GARDEN. 
213 
$ 
Lemon Thyme is a lemon-scented variety of wild tliyme, 
Thymus serpyllum. It does not come true from seeds, there- 
fore, must be increased by parting the roots or by slips. A 
sandy soil is required for this ; it thrives well in peat, but 
not in chalk, and in ordinary garden soils grows luxuriantly, 
and is sometimes used in place of box for edgings, and is 
better than box for green embroidery. The common wild 
thyme, T. serpyllum , of the heaths is as good as any garden 
thyme for flavouring soups, forcemeat, etc., therefore those 
who live in places where it grows in plenty may replenish 
their kitchen stores from nature’s great herb-garden. The 
following are worth a place on the bank or rockery amongst 
Alpine plants : — T. corsicus, a little green-leaved annual, 
which comes up every year from self-sown seeds ; deliciously 
fragrant when in flower. T. serpyllum lanuginosum , a woolly- 
leaved variety of wild thyme, which makes a pretty patch on 
a ledge of rock, requiring scarcely any soil. T. vulgaris 
variegatus, with variegated leaves, makes a pretty tuft on a 
bank, and is almost good enough for an edging in the flower- 
garden. T. azureus, a delicate little rock plant, with minute 
purplish-blue flowers. Every known species and variety of 
Thymus is worth growing, and all are pleasantly fragrant 
except T. azoricus, which might be called a stinking thyme. 
Wormwood, Artemisia vulgaris. — The common wormwood 
will grow anywhere, even in a shady border, where few other 
things will live, but, when required for a medicinal purpose, 
should be grown in the full sun. It is a hardy herbaceous 
perennial, of coarse, but not repulsive appearance. As it 
spreads fast, it is apt to become a troublesome weed, and it is 
therefore not advisable to plant it in any place where a neat 
appearance is a matter of importance. For medicinal pur- 
poses, it should be gathered in June, when in flower. It is a 
fine tonic bitter. Several very beautiful species of Artemisia 
are in. cultivation in gardens. The variegated variety of A. 
vulgaris is a charming plant in spring, but becomes coarse in 
summer. A. argentea forms an elegant silvery bush ; it is 
not quite hardy. The southernwood is A. abrotanum, a plant 
which will grow almost anywhere, but is at home on a raised 
bank. 
Tarragon, A. dracunculus. — A favourite plant of the 
country garden, in some households prized for the prepara- 
tion of tarragon vinegar, and it is much used, also, to flavour 
