dor, are strongly carminative,
and yield an essential oil by distillation.

LAVENDER.

Lavendula spica.

Lavender is a hardy, low-growing, shrubby plant, originally from the
south of Europe. There are three varieties; and they may be propagated
from seeds by dividing the roots, or by slips, or cuttings.

The seeds are sown in April or May. Make the surface of the soil light
and friable, and sow the seeds in very shallow drills six inches apart.
When the seedlings are two or three inches high, transplant them in rows
two feet apart, and a foot apart in the rows.

The slips, or cuttings, are set in April, two-thirds of the length in
the soil, and in rows as directed for transplanting seedlings. Shade
them for a few days, until they have taken root; after which, little
care will be required beyond the ordinary form of cultivation.

The roots may be divided either in spring or autumn. Though Lavender
grows most luxuriantly in rich soil, the plants are more highly
aromatic, and less liable to injury from severe weather, when grown in
light, warm, and gravelly situations.

_Use._--Lavender is sometimes used as a pot-herb, "but is more esteemed
for the distilled water which bears its name, and which, together with
the oil, is obtained in the greatest proportion from the flower-spikes
which have been gathered in dry weather, and just before the flowers are
fully expanded. The oil of lavender is obtained in the ratio of an ounce
to sixty ounces of dried flowers."--_Law._

"In the neighborhood of Mitcham, in Surrey, England, upwards of two
hundred acres are occupied with Lavender alone."--_Thomp._

_Varieties._--

BROAD-LEAVED LAVENDER. _Mill._

Spike Lavender.

Compared with the Common Lavender, the branches of this variety are
shorter, more sturdy, and thicker set with leaves; the latter being
short and broad.

The Broad-leaved Lavender rarely blossoms; but, when this occurs, the
leaves of the flower-stalk are differently formed from those of the
lower part of the plant, and somewhat resemble those of the Common
variety. The stalks are taller, the spikes lower and looser, and the
flowers smaller, than those of the last named.

COMMON OR BLUE-FLOWERING LAVENDER.

Narrow-leaved Blue-flowering.

A shrubby, thickly-branched plant, from a foot to upwards of three feet
high, according to the depth and quality of the soil in which it is
cultivated. The leaves are opposite, long, and narrow; flowers blue or