272 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



Culture. Give ordinary care, and keep from spread- 

 ing. For best leaf growth pinch off all flower-buds. 



Pick the leaves as wanted. The flowers are some- 

 times used in domestic medicine. 



Reset in new ground every two or three years. 



TARRAGON (Artemisia Dracunculus) is a perennial 

 plant grown for its leaves and tender tips, used in 

 seasoning, in the making of Tarragon vinegar, and of 

 oil of Tarragon. It is one of the best of the aromatic 

 plants, and in Europe is much used. In America it is 

 tender, and needs winter protection in the North. The 

 leaves and tips when fresh are steeped in vinegar to 

 make Tarragon vinegar, or are cut up for seasoning, or 

 may in the fall be picked and dried for winter use. It 

 is also possible to take the plants into the house for 

 use as needed. The true Tarragon does not produce 

 seed, but an inferior Russian variety does, and its seed 

 is occasionally offered for sale. The plants of true Tar- 

 ragon may be bought of seedsmen in spring and early 

 summer. Sweet-scented Marigold (Tagetes lucida) is 

 sometimes used, and very satisfactorily, as a substitute 

 for Tarragon. 



Soil. Any good garden soil that is not wet ; Tar- 

 ragon does better in a poor soil than in a rich one. It- 

 likes sun. 



Distances. Plants one foot apart each way. 



Depth, as before. 



