"This book is for anyone interested in herbs and gardening. It is a gathering of herb, plant and gardening lore from the ages, from old herbals and gardening books and recipe books and treatises on plants and chronicles and literary works. It also contains much original, up-to-date information by the author, who was the founder of 'The Herb Journal' and devoted a large part of her life to the study of herbs. It talks about the magic of fragrances ; about herbs that masquerade as flowers ; about walls and wattles -- the garden as peaceful enclosure ; about fancy gardens -- knots and parterres, mazes and labyrinths ; about simples -- herbs used for their single medicinal properties ; about the "doctrine of signatures," which bases cures on similarities between parts of plants and parts of the body ; about flower and herb symbolism and the language of herbs ; about herbs cultivated for their scent and herbs cultivated for culinary purposes ; about herbs for pickling and pastries ; about vegetable herbs and the uses of savory seeds. It tells how and when to plant, harvest and dry herbs ; how to make a potpourri for its cheerful scent and health-giving properties ; and a pomander to be worn around the neck or to keep away moths. At the end is a list of noteworthy herbs and tables of herb uses, herb symbolisms, herb teas, herbs for color and the history of herbs from ancient times to present day industrial uses. Aside from its store of useful information, this book is a pleasure to have and to read. It is beautifully illustrated from the old herbals and gardening books. It skillfully blends knowledge, remembrance and romance ; half-forgotten ideas and uses that can readily be revived ; gardening arts ; literary references and recipes for foods, teas and medicines into a potpourri that is sure to delight anyone who takes pleasure in growing things."--