king the furrows about
eighteen inches apart. The best roots for setting are those of a year's
growth; and an acre of these will be required to plant ten acres anew.
These are distributed along the furrows in a continuous line, and
covered sometimes with the foot as the planter drops the roots, and
sometimes by drawing the earth over them with a hoe. In about four
weeks, the plants will be well established, and require hoeing and
weeding; which is usually performed three times during the season, the
cultivation being finished early in August.

"The cutting and distilling commence about the 25th of August, except in
very dry seasons, when it stands two or three weeks longer, and
continues until the 1st of October; during which period the plant is in
full inflorescence, and the lower leaves begin to grow sear. It is raked
together in small heaps; when it is suffered to wilt ten or twelve
hours, if convenient.

"The next year, little is done to the mint-field but to cut and distil
its product. During this (the second) year, a few weeds make their
appearance, but not to the injury of the crop; though the most careful
of the mint-growers go through their fields, and destroy them as much as
possible. The second crop is not so productive as the first.

"The third year, little labor is required other than to harvest and
distil the mint. The stem is coarser than before, and the leaves still
less abundant. The weeds this year abound, and are not removed or
destroyed; half or more of the product of the field often being weeds.

"The fourth year, the field is ploughed up early in the spring; and this
'renewing' is sometimes done every third year.

"The fifth year, without any further attention, produces a crop equal to
the second; after which, the field is pastured and reclaimed for other
crops.

"The first year produces the best quality of oil, the highest yield per
acre, and the greatest amount to the quantity of herbage."--_F.
Stearns._

* * * * *

ROSEMARY.

Rosmarinus officinalis.

Rosemary is a half-hardy, shrubby plant, from three to six feet in
height. The leaves vary in form and color in the different varieties;
the flowers are small, generally blue, and produced in axillary
clusters; the seeds are brown, or blackish-brown, and retain their
vitality four years.

_Propagation and Cultivation._--Like most aromatic plants, Rosemary
requires a light, dry soil; and, as it is not per