Ue) 
border material in gardens of antiquity. It was also fed to chariot 
horses in Greece and heroes were crowned with it after battles, as 
winners were after their games. As has been aptly remarked, “It 
once crowned man, it now crowns his roasts!” 
The failure of parsley to germinate easily has given rise to much 
It is reported that it goes to the Devil, 7 times and back, 
legend. 
before germination. In that case the custom of soaking the seed 
in hot water for several hours or even overnight, before sowing, 
Thomas Hyl 
evidently starts 1t on its way and shortens the trips. 
in 1577, gave this advice: 
“To make the plants appear more quickly, steep the seeds in 
vinegar. Strew the bed with ashes of bean water and the best 
aqua vitae, then cover with a piece of woolen cloth and the plants 
will appear in an hour. . . . Take off the cloth suddenly that they 
may shoot up the higher, to the wonder of all beholders.” 
The tradition that a person transplanting parsley will be visited 
by misfortune probably arises from the fact that it does not trans- 
plant well because of its tap root and should be sown where it is 
Plants will live over the winter if cut back 
to grow and thinned, 
be used fresh, into the 
regularly and not allowed to seed, and may 
winter, if covered lightly. 
33. PEPPERMINT (Mentha piperita). There have been importa- 
tions to the United States of 79,851 pounds annually, of Oil 
Menthol, from Japan and China. Much acreage is devoted to 
peppermint, however, in Michigan, and the higher labor costs of 
production and distillation may be met by cheaper methods of har- 
vesting, etc. Many mints probably are hybrids of Mentha spicata, 
and have the same general properties. /. piperita has a higher 
menthol content, making its pungence more delicate because more 
volatile. 
Mint stimulates the brain, said Pliny, therefore students should 
wear a crown of mint while studying. He also advised sprinkling 
the room with vervain water, to make the guests merry at a dinner 
party. If one did so, and rubbed the table with mint leaves, serv- 
ing tomato juice or a salad in which basil was an ingredient, what 
need for cocktails! Mint prevents milk from curdling and aids 
Peppermint 1s used for a flavoring in food and confec- 
digestion. 
tions as well as in medicinal preparations. 
