THE POLYPETAL^ 



89 



use medicinally between two and three tons of the drug 

 annually, and that it was imported largely from Germany 

 before the War. 



It may be recognized by — 



1, Th(^ shape of the leaves. 



2. The flat shape of the fruit. (See fig. 55.) 



Medicinal Properties.— Bill is much used as an aro- 

 matic stimulant and carminative. The fruit contains 



3 to 4 per cent of vola- 



tile oil. The aroma 

 is due to a substance 

 called ca rvol which 

 is present in the oil. 

 The leaves, gathered 

 in July and August, 

 are used for pickling, 

 and also for flavour- 

 ing soups. 



Cultivation, — It is 



I'econnnended to sow 

 the seeds in September, or at any time between February 

 and May, in drills 1 inch apart; the seedlings should 

 be thinned till they are 10 inches apart. Any friable 

 garden soil in an open situation is suitable. 10 lb. of 

 seed should be drilled to the acre, which should yield 



fi cwt. of the fruit. 



^ __ fetches a better price than the 



reign variety because of its cleaner appearance and 



Fi". 55.— Dill {Peucedaiium graveolem) 



fo 



STOwn 



freedom from weed seeds. Dill seems to grow very well 

 in the heavy soil of Essex. 



Garj)ex Angelica (A agelica ArchovgeUca). 

 a tall, coarse-oTowing herb, the leaf-stalks of whiclwat 

 one time were'bleaehed and eaten like celery, or candied 

 and used as a confection. It is easily propagated by 



