406 OLERACEOUS PLANTS. 



The flowers are produced in umbels, as in the other species. 

 The seeds are slender, yellow, somewhat curved, sweet 

 and pleasant to the taste, and of an agreeable anise-like 

 odor. 



Sowing and Culture. The plant should be grown in well- 

 enriched, mellow soil. Sow the seeds in April or May, 

 thinly, in shallow drills from eighteen inches to two feet 

 apart. Half an ounce of seeds will be sufficient for fifty 

 feet of drill ; or, by transplanting when they spring up too 

 thickly, will furnish seedlings for a hundred feet. 



The plants should be eight or ten inches apart ; and, when 

 the stems have attained a sufficient size, they should be 

 earthed up for blanching, in the manner of Celery. Two 

 or three weeks will be required to perfect this ; and, if 

 properly treated, the stems will be found white, crisp, ten- 

 der, and excellent. 



Plants from the first sowing will be ready for use in July 

 and August. For a succession, a few seeds may be sown in 

 June, or early in July. 



Use. The blanched portion of the stem is mixed in 

 soups, and also used as a salad. It is served like Celery, 

 with various condiments, and possesses a sweet, pleasant, 

 aromatic taste. 



It is a popular vegetable in some parts of Europe, but is 

 rarely cultivated in this country. 



Sweet Pen- By some writers this has been described as 



nel. Mill. 

 MALTA FENNEL, a variety of the Common Fennel ; but its dis- 



FCENICULUM OKFI- 



tinctive character appears to be permanent un- 

 der all conditions of soil and culture. The leaves are long 

 and narrow, and, compared with those of the last named, 

 less abundant, and not so pointed. The stem is also 

 shorter, and the seeds are longer, more slender, and lighter 

 colored. 



