410 OLERACEOUS PLANTS. 



MARIGOLD. 



Pot Marigold. Calendula officinalis. 



This hardy annual is a native of France and the south of 

 Europe. Aside from its value for culinary purposes, its large, 

 deep orange-yellow flowers are showy and attractive ; and it 

 is frequently cultivated as an ornamental plant. The stem 

 is about a foot in height ; the leaves are thick and fleshy, 

 rounded at the ends, and taper to the stalk ; the flowers are 

 an inch and a half or two inches in diameter, yellow, 

 differing, however, in depth of color, and single or double, 

 according to the variety ; the seeds are large, light brown, 

 much curved and contorted, and very irregular both in their 

 size and form. 



Sowing and Cultivation. The plant is of easy culture. 

 The seeds are sown in autumn, just after ripening, or in 

 April, May, or June. Make the drills a foot apart ; cover 

 the seed three fourths of an inch deep, and, when the plants 

 are an inch or two inches high, thin them to eight or ten 

 inches apart. Plants from the first sowing will blossom 

 early in July, and continue in bloom until destroyed by 

 frost. 



Gathering. The flowers are gathered when fully ex- 

 panded, divested of their calyxes, and spread in a light, 

 airy, shaded situation until they are thoroughly dried. They 

 are gathered as they come to perfection ; when the plants 

 are allowed to ripen their seeds, they become much less pro- 

 ductive. 



To raise Seed. Leave one or two of the finest plants, 

 without cutting the flowers, and, when the heads of seed 

 begin to change from a green to a brownish color, cut them 

 off, spread them a short time, as directed for drying the 

 flowers, and pack away for use. 



Use. The flowers are used in various parts of Europe 



