[ 2*« '} 



SECTION XVI. 



OF HEltBS, &C 



A NGELICA is cultivated for the large ribs of ita 

 -**- leaves, cut in May, or June, to make a candied 

 fre/erue\ and it is alio a medicinal plant, in ftalk, leaf, 

 root and (ced. Sow as foon as the feed is ripe, for in 

 fpring it does not come well. Put the plants out when 

 a few inches high, at two feet afunder. It is biennial ; 

 but if feed is not wanted, cut the items down in May, 

 and the plant will put out fide moots; and by this 

 practice every year, it may be continued long in the 

 fame place. A moid fituation fuits it beft, fo that 

 fome plant it by ditches, or ponds. 



Balm is either-plain or variegated ; but the former 

 only is cultivated as a medicinal herb. It is propagated 

 by parting the root, either in autumn, or fpring, but 

 rather the latter. Slip off fhort pieces with roots, artd 

 plant them a foot, or fifteen inches afunder, giving a 

 little water. The variegated is for the flower garden. 



The balm that is gathered for drying ought to be cut 

 jufl as it gets into flower ; as for this purpofe all herb* 

 -fhould, being then in the higheft perfection; and it 

 mould be done as foon as the dew is off, for if left till 

 afternoon, in a full fun, the plant is exhaufledof its 

 juices : Pick off all decayed leaves. Dry it in an airy 

 fhady place till fit to tie in /mall bundles, which muft 

 be ftored by hanging up in a dry airy room, about fix 

 inches from one another, till perfectly dry, when lay 

 them in a drawer in a dry room, prefled clofe, and 

 cover with paper. 



Balm, 



