Is not generally neglected in a well-conducted establishment, but in many places it is not dignified with a remarkable share of attention, for what reason I cannot tell; for the want of some particular kind of herb, when it is required, though perhaps required seldom, is frequently as great a source of annoyance to the gardener as anything else. I have known a particular herb that had never been inquired after for many years suddenly become indispensable on the advent of a new cook or housekeeper. It is, therefore, well to have everything of the kind that is likely to be needed. It is not at all an uncommon thing either to meet with young men very intelligent on other subjects, and who would probably resent the idea of being considered unfit for a good foreman's place, who are quite ignorant about herbs and their uses, and possibly could not pick a particular kind out of a collection without assistance. Under these circumstances, I think I need make no apology for introducing the subject; and I purpose giving a chapter or two on the uses and cultivation of those herbs and other plants that are generally classed along with them in a kitchen-garden; and the first thing we have got to consider is the situation and arrangement of the border.

An east or west aspect will do very well; and where a wall-border cannot be afforded, a strip off one of the garden-breaks in a sheltered part will do; for though hardiness is a feature of some kinds of herbs, there are others that thrive best in a warm situation. The extent of ground required will of course depend upon the demand. It should be thrown off into beds or squares with 18-inch alleys between; and for greater convenience, the perennial or evergreen kinds, such as Mint, Sage, Thyme, etc, should be kept by themselves at one end of the border; and the annual kinds, such as Sweet Marjoram and Summer Savory, at the other end. As a general rule, most kinds of herbs will thrive in ordinary soils and situations. Any exception to this rule I will notice when I come to speak of the different kinds, which I will treat of in their turn according to their importance, and shall therefore begin with:

Wormwood (Common)

A perennial, and a native of Britain and the Continent. The leaves are bitter, and the plant has a strong and disagreeable smell. It is cultivated entirely for medicinal purposes. An infusion of the leaves allays pain, and swellings arising from bruises. We have known it applied with success in dangerous cases of this kind when other things had failed. It is also said to be, to some extent, a substitute for Peruvian bark in some diseases. Wormwood is easily cultivated, and may be propagated by seed sown in spring, by cuttings, or by division of the plant. It prefers a light dry soil, and will succeed for years in the same situation without much attention. Another variety, called Roman Wormwood, is also cultivated - both have the same properties. A portion should be dried for winter.

Southernwood

This belongs to the same genus as the above, but, unlike Wormwood, it has a peculiarly agreeable smell, which has long rendered it a popular favourite in any cottage-garden. It was formerly cultivated for its medicinal properties also. It is a hardy Evergreen shrub, and a native of the East. It is propagated by cuttings in spring, and will succeed on any soil.

Horehound Or Catmint

A perennial, a native of Britain, and remarkable for the curious effect it has upon cats, which are fond of it, and love to roll themselves amongst it, and to chew it. The leaves infused are a popular and valuable remedy for colds, and have been known to remove stubborn and severe coughs when more expensive cures had failed. An ordinary but rather dry soil suits it best. It may be propagated by seed sown in spring, or by division of the plant, which is the most convenient plan, and it will thrive in the same situation without transplanting for years.

Lavender

This is an aromatic Evergreen shrub; a native of southern Europe and the north of Africa. It is a medicinal herb, but it is chiefly for its flowers that it is cultivated, which are much used for putting into drawers and wardrobes. It is also grown extensively near London for distillation. It prefers a light, warm, and well-drained soil, and is propagated by slips, which should be detached from the base of the plant with a bit of root to each, and planted in rows about 2 feet apart. This should be done in April. The flower-spikes should be cut off and dried a little while before they are fairly over. Keep the ground cleaned and hoed, and prune the plants in when they get straggling.

The Herb Border #1

Borage

This is an annual supposed to be a native of England. The flowers are sometimes used for garnishing, and it is also used as a potherb, but it is chiefly for cool tankards or cups that it is in demand, for which purpose a bunch of the tops are employed. Borage, like some other things, is a plant that will generally keep its own footing when once it gets established in a garden - it seeds so freely. It may be sown at any time, when it is needful to take this trouble. When the young leaves are wanted frequently, it should be sown at intervals during the summer. Water when needful, and thin out the plants to 9 inches or 1 foot apart. It will grow in any soil.

Burnet

A perennial, and a native of Britain. The young leaves are employed in soups and salads, and also in cool tankards like Borage. It will succeed in any ordinary light garden-soil, to which a little lime-scrapings may be added. It should be sown in March in shallow drills about 10 inches apart, and the plants may afterwards be thinned out to 6 inches asunder in the row. It may also be propagated by divisions of the roots in spring, planting the pieces as above stated. Keep the ground cleaned and stirred during the summer, and cut off the flower-spikes as they appear.

Marigold (Common)

This is a hardy annual; a native of the south of Europe. The flowers are used for culinary purposes, but the plant is not generally cultivated in England as a herb. The seed may be sown in April, in a bed of light rich soil, and the plants should afterwards be thinned out to 1 foot from each other. The flowers should be gathered as they expand, dried in a shed, and put away for winter use. Marigold flowers put into soups were at one time supposed to have a soothing effect upon the mind or spirits.

Balm

A hardy perennial; a native of the south of Europe. The leaves have a strong lemon scent; it is used chiefly for making Balm-wine and Balm-tea. It propagates freely by division of the roots in spring, and will succeed in any ordinary garden-soil: before blooming, a portion may be cut and dried.

Hyssop

This is a low, aromatic, evergreen shrub; a native of the south of Europe. It is pretty generally grown, though not much used, except medicinally: it is a specific in some kinds of chest diseases and pulmonary complaints. It is not to be confounded with the Hyssop of Scripture, which is quite a different plant (the Caper). Hyssop prefers a light and somewhat dry soil. It may be propagated by seed sown in March, by division of the plant in spring, or by cuttings like winter Savory, to which it is allied, and otherwise treated in the same way.

Chamomile

A well-known and popular medicinal herb; a native of Britain. The flowers only are used, generally infused like tea. The single-flowered variety is the best, being the most powerful. It is propagated by division of the plant in spring. It requires a moderately dry soil, and the pieces should be planted 8 or 10 inches asunder, and watered. It will soon cover the ground, and the flowers should be picked off as they open, and dried in the shade, and stored away in drawers. J. Simpson.

Fennel

A herbaceous perennial, the aromatic leaves of which are used in the preparation of mackerel and other fish sauces; they are also useful for garnishing, and the soft stalks may be used as a Salad, but they are not in great repute for this purpose. The plant grows wild in this country, and will succeed in any ordinary garden soil. To insure a continuance of green leaves, it is best to propagate plants from seed, which should be sown in March, in narrow drills 18 inches apart, and the plants should afterwards be thinned out to 1 foot from each other. Let the ground be trenched and manured, and cut down the stems frequently during the summer, before flowering, taking care always to leave a portion for picking from. The plant may also be propagated by division of the root in spring, but it runs to seed faster when propagated in this way. J. Simpson.

Rue

A low, hardy, evergreen shrub; a native of the south of Europe. The leaves have a disagreeable smell and a bitter taste; if rubbed on the skin, it raises blisters. It is also called Herb of Grace, which in some parts of England is corrupted into Yerb-a-Grass. Rue was formerly held in great esteem, and is to this day in popular use, being in great repute with mothers for nearly all kind of infantile diseases. It will succeed in common soil if not too wet or too rich. It may be propagated by seed sown in pans, and forwarded in a slight heat, or sown at once in the bed in April. By cuttings, however, is the common plan, They should be taken off in May, and inserted under handlights, and shaded and watered till rooted, and afterwards planted on the border in rows 1 foot apart, and the same between the plants.