OF SUNDRY HERBS 73 



antidote against the bite of a mad dog. Water horehound 

 used to be called " gipsy wort," " because the rogues and 

 runagates which name themselves Egyptians do colour 

 themselves black with this herbe." 



Horehound is a hardy herbaceous perennial. It likes a 

 little shade and dry, chalky soil. Sow the seeds in March 

 or increase by dividing the roots. If increased by cuttings 

 they should be inserted in a shady border. 



HOREHOUND TEA. On one ounce of the fresh leaves pour 

 one pint of boiling water and sweeten with honey. 



CANDIED HOREHOUND. Boil some horehound till the 

 juice is extracted. Boil up some sugar to a feather height, 

 add your juice to the sugar, and let it boil till it is again 

 the same height. Stir it till it begins to grow thick, then 

 pour it on to a dish and dust it with sugar and when fairly 

 cool cut into squares. Excellent sweetmeat for colds and 

 coughs. R. Thornton, The Family Herbal, 1810. 



HYSSOP 



Our hyssop is probably not the hyssop mentioned in the 

 Bible, and the identity of that plant has never yet been 

 settled. The old mazes were frequently " sette with isope," 

 and in Knots for the Housewife's Garden two designs for 

 hyssop will be found. The young tops and flowers were 

 used in pottages and strewn on salads, and hyssop tea and 

 syrup were famous cordials. Tusser includes hyssop in his 

 list of herbs to be strewn in chambers. 



Hyssop is a hardy, blue-flowered evergreen. It likes a 

 light sandy soil and not too much sun. It should be cut 

 back after flowering. Sow the seeds in March or April, or 

 increase by dividing the roots in spring or autumn. Cuttings 

 should be taken in April or May. 



HYSSOP TEA. Pour one pint of boiling water on one dram 

 of the green tops. 



