Hyssop (Hyssopus Officinalis)

This is a hardy evergreen shrub, propagated by seed, slips, or cuttings. If by seed it may be sown in March or April, either broadcast, or in drills eight inches asunder. As soon as the plants are up they may be transplanted in rows, in a bed of moderately rich soil, a foot apart every way, or they may be planted the same distance from each other, as an edging, if preferred. In any case let them be well watered directly after planting, and occasionally in dry weather, until the roots get good hold of the ground. Cuttings from the stalks, should be taken and struck in the open border, in April or May, in a sandy soil, where they will soon take root and grow freely. Young slips of the same year's growth maybe taken from the old stock in July, and planted in sandy soil, in a shady situation; and if kept moist by watering, will root readily in a short time. The leaves and young shoots are used as a pot herb, the leafy tops and flower-spikes are cut, dried, and preserved for medicinal purposes.

Lavender (Lavandula Spica)

A hardy evergreen under-shrub, and popular aromatic herb. It may be propagated either by cuttings or slips, struck in soil of a poor gravelly nature, as on such the flowers have a powerful odour, and the plants being more hardy, are thus able to stand severe winter weather all the better. In a rich soil the plant is not half so fragrant, and it becomes far more tender in habit. Cuttings and slips should be taken in the spring and struck on a shady border under a hand-glass. As soon as rooted they may be planted in a bed to themselves, in rows three feet asunder and two feet distant from each other in the rows. They will bloom in July and August, when the flowers should be cut while in perfection, close off at that part of the plant from which they spring. These are much in request for distillation and medicinal purposes.

Marjoram, Pot (Origanum Onites)

This is a hardy perennial under-shrub, propagated chiefly from rooted slips or suckers; planted in rows one foot apart, and eight inches asunder in the rows.

It is occasionally raised from seed, sown broadcast in April, on a warm border of light earth, and as soon as the plants are about three inches high, they should be thinned out to eight inches apart in every direction. Its principal use is for seasoning.

Marjoram, Sweet Or Knotted (Origanum Majorana)

This, although a hardy biennial in its own country, must be treated as an annual here, and sown and cut every year. Seed should be sown broadcast, in April, on a border of light soil, and when the seedlings are two or three inches high they must be thinned out to eight inches asunder in every direction. Water well in dry weather, and keep the soil continually stirred between them, for the double purpose of destroying weeds, and admitting air to the roots. Used, like the former, for seasoning.

Marigold, Pot (Calendula Officinalis)

This is an annual, the flowers of which are used for flavouring soups and made dishes. Seed may be sown any time from September to April, either broadcast or in drills a foot apart, and raked in evenly. As soon as the plants are an inch or two high they should be thinned out to a foot asunder in every direction, and those plants removed in the thinning may, if wanted, be transplanted on another bed, the same distance apart. They will continue in flower from July to autumn, during which time a store should be gathered, and spread out to dry in the shade; they may then be put by in bags for winter use. Any ordinary soil will suit this plant.

Mint (Mentha Viridis)

This is a perennial plant, cultivated for its leaves and young tops, which are occasionally used in spring salads, and employed largely to give a flavour to peas, young potatoes, young cabbages, etc, and in making mint sauce. It is propagated by division of the root, offsets from the root, and cuttings of the stalk. The two former methods may be resorted to in the spring, selecting well-established plants for the purpose, and planting these small portions out in rows one foot apart, and six inches asunder in the rows. Cuttings should be taken from the young tops in May and June (in six-inch lengths, removing the lower leaves halfway up the same), and inserted with the dibble, on a shady border of ordinary soil, eight inches asunder every way. "Water them well as soon as planted, and they will root readily, and be fit for use the same year. They must be kept clear of weeds at all times, and any steins remaining in the autumn must be cut down, and the roots covered with a thin layer of light earth.

For storing, the shoots should be gathered just when the plant is beginning to flower, dried in the shade, tied up in bundles, and put by in paper bags.