39G OLERACEOUS PLANTS. 



and they will soon yield an abundance of tender stems 

 and leaves. 



Varieties. 



Purple Basil. Leaves and flowers purple. When grown in 

 sunny situations, the leaf-stems and young branches are also 

 purple. In other respects, the variety is similar to the 

 Common Sweet Basil. Its properties and uses are the 

 same. 



Lettuce- The leaves of this variety are large, pale 



leaved Basil. J 



vu. green, wrinkled and blistered like those of 



some kinds of Lettuce ; whence the name. It resembles 

 the foregoing varieties in taste and odor, and is used for the 

 same purpose. 



Bush Basil. The Bush Basils are small, low-growing, 



OCYMUM MINI- . 



MUM. branching plants, and are propagated and cul- 

 tivated like the Common Sweet Basil. 



Green Bush Stem about eight inches high ; leaves small, 

 green, oval ; flowers white, produced in whorls 

 about the upper portion of the principal stalk and towards 

 the extremities of the branches. 



Purple Bush Leaves purple. In other respects, similar 

 Basil. VU. 



to the Green Bush Basil. 



Use. The leaves and young branches have a strong, 

 clove-like taste and odor, and are used in highly-seasoned 

 soups and meats. They are also sometimes added to salads. 

 For winter use, the stalks are cut while in flower, dried, 

 powdered, and preserved, like other pot-herbs. 



