Sweet Herbs and Small Salads 



187 



The shoots are cut before the flowers open and are tied in bunches to 

 dry off for winter use. The Bush Basil (0. minimum) is a much dwarf er 

 and more compact-growing plant 

 with smaller leaves. It is raised 

 and treated in the same way as the 

 Sweet Basil. 



Borage (Borago officinalis). 

 An annual herb of the Forget-me- 

 not family, 1 to 1J ft. high, with 

 hairy stems and leaves, and blue, 

 purplish, or white flowers. It grows 

 in ordinary garden soil, and is 

 raised from seeds sown in the open 

 in March and April for summer 

 and autumn use, and in frames in 

 autumn for winter and spring use. 

 It is used chiefly in connection with Fig. soa-sweet Basil, (j.) 



the preparation of claret-cup. 



Burnet (Poterium Sanguisorba). This hardy British perennial grows 

 1 to 2 ft. high, and its pinnate leaves having a peculiar Cucumber flavour, 

 are sometimes used as a salad and in soups. It grows in any garden soil, 

 and may be raised from seeds and by division. 



Camomile or Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis). At one time many acres- 

 were devoted to the culture of Camomile in the Mitcham district, between 

 rows of Lettuces and other fairly quick-growing crops. The plants, easily 

 recognized by their finely-divided fern-like leaves and white Marguerite- 

 like flower heads, flourish in any garden soil, and are easily increased by 

 division of the roots in March. The flower heads are the chief crop. 

 Before they open they are picked off and laid out in shady airy places 

 to dry, after which they are packed in canvas or paper bags for sale. 



Caper Bush (Capparis spinoso). A South European wiry and spiny- 

 stemmed shrub 3 to 5 ft. high, with roundish glistening leaves, and white 

 flowers 2 in. across. It can only be grown in the mildest and warmest 

 parts of Britain. There is also a form without spines. The flower buds, 

 known as " Capers", are gathered when as large as peas, and are pickled 

 in vinegar. 



This plant must not be confused with the " Caper Spurge" (Euphorbia 

 Lathyris), a milky-juiced British biennial, 3 to 4 ft. high, with ovate-oblong 

 blue-green leaves, and roundish fruits which are often taken for real 

 "Capers". The seeds yield an extremely acrid oil, resembling croton oil 

 in its properties, and sometimes substituted for it. The plant is very 

 common in some cottage gardens. 



Capsicum (Capsicum annuum). The well-known Chili Peppers are 

 obtained from the seedpods of this plant, of which there are many varieties. 

 In a green state the pods are used in pickles, salads, and for making Chili 

 vinegar. When ripe, they are ground in a dried state to make Cayenne 



