144 BUIST'S FAMILY KITCHEN GARDENER. 



ROSEMARY. 



Rosemarmus officinalis. Romarin, Fr. Rosmann, Ger. 



A NATIVE of the south of Europe, the Levant, and found 

 occasionally in the Grecian isles. It is propagated from the 

 seed, or by planting slips or cuttings in the early Spring 

 months. Rosemary has a fragrant aromatic smell, and a 

 warm, pungent taste; the leaves and tender tops are the 

 strongest ; the flowers, by themselves, are much weaker but 

 more agreeable. This herb is reckoned one of the most pow- 

 erful of those plants which stimulate and corroborate the ner- 

 vous system ; it has, therefore, been recommended in various 

 affections supposed to proceed from debilities. It is generally 

 given in the form of an infusion. 



RUE. 



Ruta graveolens. Rue, Fr. Rante, Ger. 



Is a hardy shrub, and a native of the south of Europe. It 

 is propagated in a similar manner to the Rosemary, and re- 

 quires the same cultivation. The common Rue has a strong, 

 ungrateful odor, and a bitter, hot, penetrating taste. The 

 leaves are so acrid as to irritate and inflame the skin if they 

 are much handled. Rue was much used by the ancients, who 

 ascribed to it many excellent qualities. It is employed by 

 some as a tea, and also externally, in various kinds of fomen- 

 tations. A conserve, made by beating the fresh leaves with 

 thrice their weight of sugar, is the most commodious form for 

 using. the herb in substance. It is a powerful astringent, and 

 adapted to phlegmatic habits, or weak and hysterical constitu- 

 tions suffering from retarded or obstructive secretions. 



