Herb Garden Ideas

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7871, 5 August 1911, Page 13

Herb Garden Ideas

THE herb garden is returning to favour in England, and women, in imitation of their great-grandmothers, arc cultivating aromatic plants. There is charm in a corner devoted to sweetsmelling herbs and a fascination in homemade and home-grown remedies, cosmetics, and preparations for culinary purXjos cs.

A small plot devoted to tarragon enables the housewife to make a good supply of tarragon vinegar. The leaves should bo gathered on a very dry day and stripped from the stalks. Warm them on a dish before the fire for an hour or so. This brings out the full aroma.

Pack a wlde-mouth jar or bottle with /ho leaves and fill up with white wine vinegar. When full, fasten down securely, and in a fortnight the clear liquid will bo ready . to strain off and bottle. To Prevent Grey Hair.

Growing in close proximity to the tarragon aro plants of sago. Tho leaves have a wonderful effect upon the hair, causing it to grow, thick and preventing the advent of grey locks. A quantity of loaves are placed in a basin and boiling water poured over them. Let them infuse for some time on the range, or even in the oven, then strain and bottle. The roots of the hair will benefit greatly by an application of this simple wash if well rubbed into tho scalp. ; .

llosemary, thyme, sweet marjoram, mint, all can bo preserved. for winter use. In hot summer weather, just before they come into flower, when fully grown, is the time to gather the herbs. Keeping the bunches separate, and lay them on dishes, drying them in a cool oven till quite crisp. Then strip them from tho stalks, crumble them up, and pack away in dry bottles well corked down, or the bunches may be stored in muslin bags. Valuable Cosmetics.

The herb corner should harbour some horseradish., One does not associate it with anything but roast beef, but a valuable and safe cosmetic, .when a gentle stimulant is needed ,for the skin, can be made.

Scrape loz of tho root and Infuse it for several hours in on© pint of cold fresh milk; strain it through muslin before bottling. Dab the skin gently with the mixture, and though if well corked it will keep for a time, it is well to use it while fresh. To keep the roots of horseradish during tho winter, raise from the ground in dry weather and simply shake free from soil, avoiding washing. If buried in a box of sand, the flavour will bo fully preserved, and a constant supply will bo ready for making the lotion.— H.G., in "Daily Mail." . ;