Culture and Propagation .—It may be raised by slips, seeds and 
cuttings. The former should be taken off in March or April, and 
planted in light sandy soil, in any situation. The seeds should be 
sown in April, either broadcast or in shallow drills six inches apart; 
and they should be transplanted out in June and July. Cuttings of 
the young stalks may be taken in April and May, which, after being 
planted, will require shading until they have rooted. 
Lavender, (Lavandula Spica.) This plant was called by the 
Greeks Nardus, from Naarda, a city of Syria, near the Euphrates, 
and Spica because it bears its flowers in Spikes. There is but little 
doubt that this is the spikenard of the ancients, of which ointment 
was made, and which was considered so very precious. Pliny, who 
flourished shortly after the Christian era, says that the most costly 
and precious ointment was made from the aromatic leaves of the 
Nardus, and that the spikes (blossoms) sold for 100 denarii per 
pound, being in our coin about £3. 2s. 6d. lie further says that 
the leaves brought from Syria are the best, and next to them the 
Gallic lavender or nardus is in estimation. This ointment was usu¬ 
ally kept in pots or vessels of alabaster. Some persons, however, 
have thought that the spikenard ointment of the ancients was made 
from the root of a species of Valerian, but this seems hardly proba¬ 
ble, for the smell of all the species of Valerian is far from being 
pleasant. It appears to have received the name of Lavender from 
lavare to wash, because it was much used to wash or bathe the body. 
Both Dodoens and Gerard recommended those afflicted with palsy 
or apoplexy to wash themselves with lavender-water, or anoint their 
limbs with the oil made from its flowers. Lavender is an excellent 
cephalic and nervine. It is also useful to sweeten the air of sick 
rooms, when the state of the patient or of the atmosphere will not ad¬ 
mit of purer circulation. The oil of this plant is often called Oil of 
Spike. The flowers are said to be amongst the most powerful stimu¬ 
lants to the nervous system, whether applied externally or internally. 
Culture and Propagation .—It is readily propagated by slips in 
the same manner as Rosemary. It succeeds best in a dry poor soil, 
bearing more flowers and having a more powerful odour. The spikes 
of flowers should be cut when the flowers on the under part begin to 
drop. Spread them upon a sheet, and every morning and evening- 
let them be exposed to the sun, removing them during mid-day into 
the shade, and being careful never to expose them to any rains. 
This process should be continued until they are perfectly dry, and 
they must then be preserved in paper bags, in the same manner as 
other aromatic herbs. 
