550 MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



CHAMOMILE. 



Anthemis nobilis. 



This is a half-hardy, herbaceous, perennial plant, growing 

 wild in various parts of England, by roadsides and in gravelly 

 pastures. Its stems rest upon the surface of the ground, and 

 send out roots, by which the plants spread and are rapidly 

 increased. 



Soil and Culture. Chamomile flourishes best in light, 

 poor soil, and is generally propagated by dividing the roots, 

 and setting them in rows a foot apart, and eight or ten inches 

 from each other in the rows. They will soon entirely occupy 

 the ground. 



Gathering. The flowers should be gathered in a dry day, 

 and when they are fully expanded. They are generally 

 spread in an airy, shady situation for a few days, and 

 afterwards removed to a heated apartment to perfect the 

 drying. 



Common The flowers of this variety are single. Though 



Chamomile. 



considered more efficacious for medicinal pur- 

 poses, it is not so generally cultivated as the Double-flower- 

 ing. The leaves are finely cut, or divided ; and, when 

 bruised, emit a peculiar, pungent odor. It may be grown 

 from seeds, or slips, and from divisions of the plants, or 

 roots. 



Double-flow- A variety of the foregoing, with large, white, 

 ering Chamo- 

 mile. double flowers. The leaves are of the same 



form, but milder in their odor and taste. It is equally 

 hardy with the Single-flowering, and much more ornamental. 

 Though generally considered less efficacious than the last 

 named, it is generally cultivated for use and the market on 

 account of the greater bulk and weight of its flowers. 



