NAT. ORDER. — PAPAVERACEjE. 53 



planting its seeds, and once or twice weeding. The seeds should 

 be planted early in the spring, about one foot from each other, and 

 in rows from three to four feet apart : in this manner the largest 

 number of petals or flowers can be obtained, which are the only 

 parts valued for medicinal purposes, and usually command a high 

 price at the shops. The culti\ ation of this plant would richly repay 

 for its labor. It produces its flowers in July and August, in great 

 profusion, 



Medical Properties and Uses. The flowers of the Atheoc rosea 

 possess astringent and expectorant properties. A tea made, and 

 drank freely, has been found highly useful in the treatment of leu- 

 corrhoea and other female weaknesses ; but the most important pur- 

 pose for Avhich the flowers are in demand at the present time, is in 

 the preparation of an article called the Conserve of HollyJiokc, or, by 

 some, the Bread of Life. This conserve is prepared by taking one 

 ounce of the petals of Atheae rosea, three ounces of Ulmus fulva, 

 one-fourth of an ounce of Capsicum, and one pound of white 

 Havana sugar, all finely pulverized and well mixed together ; after 

 which add suflicient alcohol to make it into the consistency of a 

 fresh loaf of bread, and lay it away to dry, when it will be ready 

 for use. This conserve, eaten several times a day, in quantities from 

 ten to twenty grains each, I have found to be invaluable in bron- 

 chitis, sore or ulcerated throat, foul stomach, colds, coughs, and in 

 restoring the tone of the digestive organs to a proper action ; and 

 would therefore recommend it as being worthy of the consideration 

 of the profession. 



