SEASONING HERBS. 317 



early part of spring, most generally in single drills, 

 round the edges of any of the vegetable beds. The 

 plants appear in three or four weeks, and soon the 

 tender leaves are fit to be gathered for use ; a suc- 

 cession springing forth and furnishing a supply through- 

 out the whole of the year, till the ensuing May, when 

 the flower-stalks begin to run, bloom, and bear seed 

 in July or August. 



Parsley has been supposed to be an effectual cure 

 for the rot in sheep, provided it be given to them 

 in sufficient quantities. Attempts were made some 

 years ago to promote its extensive culture in fields 

 for this purpose, under the auspices of the Society 

 for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. It is said that 

 this specific was tried in Hampshire with success ; 

 and Mortimer* mentions the cultivation of parsley, 

 as a remedy against this destructive disease, being 

 practised in Buckinghamshire. This herb, when used 

 as food for sheep, imparts to their flesh, it is said, a 

 very agreeable flavour. ~|~ 



Hares and rabbits, we are told, will come from a 

 great distance in order to indulge their taste for 

 parsley ; and in countries where these animals 

 abound, in no situation does their favourite herb 

 escape from their depredations unless securely fenced. 



PURSLANE Portulaca oleracea was introduced 

 from South America into this country in 1652. It 

 was formerly held in more esteem, and was more cul- 

 tivated, than it is at present. 



FENNEL Jlnethum fceniculum is a plant of 

 very ancient use, and if not native, is at least natu- 

 ralized in England, where it is sometimes found 

 growing on chalky soils. It is a perennial, rising to 

 the height of five or six feet. The leaves are di- 

 vided into a variety of fine, long segments, of a 



* Mortimer's Husbandry, vol. i. 

 t Campbell's Pol. Survey, vol. ii. 



VOL. XV. 27* 



