The Herb Garden 
I 3 I 
seen them in New England parlors forming part of 
a winter posy ; this, I suppose, in neighborhoods 
where Tansy was little used at funerals. 
If an herb garden had no other reason for exist- 
ence, let me commend it to the attention of those 
of ample grounds and kindly hearts, for a special 
purpose — as a garden for the blind. Our many 
flower-charities furnish flowers throughout the sum- 
mer to our hospitals, but what sweet-scented flowers 
are there for those debarred from any sight of 
beauty ? Through the past summer my daughters 
sent several times a week, by the generous carriage 
of the Long Island Express Company, boxes of wild 
flowers to any hospital of their choice. What could 
we send to the blind ? The midsummer flowers of 
field and meadow gratified the sight, but scent was 
lacking. A sprig of Sweet Fern or Bayberry was the 
only resource. Think of the pleasure which could 
be given to the sightless by a posy of sweet-scented 
leaves, by Southernwood, Mint, Balm, or Basil, 
and when memory was thereby awakened in those 
who once had seen, what tender thoughts ! If this 
book could influence the planting of an herb garden 
for the solace of those who cannot see the flowers 
of field and garden, then it will not have been writ- 
ten in vain. 
