LAVENDER. 407 



Solving and Cultivation. It is propagated and cultivated 

 as the Common Fennel. 



Use. It is used in all the forms of the last named. The 

 seeds- have a sweet, pleasant, anise-like taste and odor, are 

 strongly carminative, and yield an essential oil by distilla- 

 tion. 



LAVENDER. 



Lavendula spica. 



Lavender is a hardy, low-growing, shrubby plant, origi- 

 nally from the south of Europe. There are three varieties ; 

 and they may be propagated from seeds, by dividing the 

 roots, or by slips, or cuttings. 



The seeds are sown in April or May. Make the surface 

 of the soil light and smooth, and sow the seeds in very shal- 

 low drills six inches apart. When the seedlings are two or 

 three inches high, transplant them in rows two feet apart, 

 and a foot apart in the rows. 



The slips, or cuttings, are set in April, two thirds of the 

 length in the soil, and in rows, as directed for transplanting 

 seedlings. Shade them for a few days, until they have taken 

 root ; after which little care will be required beyond the or- 

 dinary form of cultivation. 



The roots may be divided either in spring or autumn. 

 Though Lavender grows most luxuriantly in rich soil, the 

 plants are more highly aromatic, and less liable to injury 

 from severe weather, when grown in light, warm, and 

 gravelly situations. 



Use. Lavender is sometimes used as a pot-herb, "but is 

 more esteemed for the distilled water which bears its name, 

 and which, together with the oil, is obtained in the greatest 

 proportion from the flower-spikes which have been gathered 

 in dry weather, and just before the flowers are fully expanded. 



