FLOWER GARDEN

This is a family of hardy rock and border plants. The flowers are white, silvery grey, and yellow, and the plants, which are mostly summer-flowering, do not need any special cultivation. Anthemis Biebersteinii, grey leaves and yellow flowers, 12 inches, and macedonica, white flowers, 6 inches, are suitable for the rockery. Kelwayi and tinctoria grow 2 feet high and are valuable border flowers.

Camomile Tea. The dried flower-heads of the camomile are sometimes infused at home to make camomile tea. It is made as follows. Soak 1 oz. of the dried flowers in a pint of boiling water in a covered pan for 15 min. Then strain off the liquid and add sugar to taste. It acts as a mild tonic and is good for sleeplessness. If given hot it promotes perspiration. and administered warm acts as an emetic. The infusion obtained from a chemist is of a uniform strength, and the dose is 1 to 4 oz. The drug is used in this way as a tonic and stomachic, as it is an aromatic bitter. A camomile poultice is an old household remedy for inflammation and sprains. For this purpose the flower-heads are put in a bag and boiling water is poured over them. The oil, in doses of 0,5 to 3 minims, is a stimulant and antispasmodic, like other volatile oils.