100 MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS 



2. The leaves rapidly deterioi-ate on keeping, and are 



worthless Avhen more than a year old. 



3. The second-year leaves are more active than those 



of the first year. 



Present Source of Supply. — Digitalis was imported 

 chiefly from France and Germany, but as the price has 

 o;one up from 23.^-338. per cwt to 92s. per cwt., the 

 value of the plant has been greatly enhanced. Further, 

 as the imported article is far inferior to carefully pre- 

 pared leaves from the British plants, it seems as though 

 in the near future there will be a boom in the cultivation 

 of the Foxglove, as well as in the collection of the wild 

 plants; and it is to be hoped that we shall before long 

 be independent of the imported supplies. 



Cultivation, — The plant is best cultivated in partial 

 shade, as it dematrds only a moderate amount of sun- 

 shine. It grows best in a well-drained, loose soil, rich 

 in leaf-mould. About 2 lb. of seed are required per 

 acre. The seed is usually mixed with fine sand to secure 

 even distribution. After sowing, it should be thinly 

 covered with soil. The leaves are liand-picked in the 

 second year, and a yield of from 1 to 2 tons is obtained 

 per acre. 



Great Mullein {Verhascum Thapsus). — This is a 



stout herbaceous stem reaching sometimes to a height 

 of 5 or 6 feet, and easily distinguished by its largf' 

 flannel 'lihe leaves and club-shaped spikes of yellow 

 flowers. It differs from the other members of the order 

 in possessing 5 instead of 4 stamens. 



The soft thick leaves boiled in milk and sweetened 

 have been used as an emollient. The seeds, however. 

 possess toxic properties, and children should not be 

 allowed access to them. In the Middle Aws the Mullein 



enioved a onreat VOp-ue as a enrnfivp fnv i]it> troubles 01 



