256 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



practical as well as theoretical gardener, assigns to his 

 own exertions its first cultivation in the French 

 gardens.* 



Scorzonera is at present much more used on the 

 Continent than in this country; its medicinal virtues 

 are now, however, but little regarded. 



This plant is a hardy perennial, with a stem from 

 two to three feet long, and having yellow flowers, which 

 continue to bloom from June to August. The lower 

 leaves, which are linear and pointed, are about eight 

 or nine inches in length. The root is thin and spindle- 

 shaped, covered with a dark brown skin, but white 

 within, and containing a milky juice. 



Though the plants are perennial, producing offsets 

 from the crown of the root, it is better to propagate 

 from seeds in the same manner in which carrots are 

 cultivated, since the offsets degenerate from year to 

 year, both in size and quality. The roots, like those 

 of parsnips, remain uninjured in the ground through- 

 out the winter, and till they begin to put out fresh 

 leaves in the spring. The whole plant is somewhat 

 bitter. To divest the roots of that quality, they are 

 scraped, and then steeped in water previously to their 

 being made to undergo any culinary process. 



* The first edition of his book, which greatly contributed 

 to improve gardening in France, was printed in 1616.' 

 Beckmann. 



