VARIOUS FARM PRODUCTS 561 



They are used in asthma and similar affections, and externally in 

 cases of poisoning by poison ivy. 



Scaly Grindelia (Grindelia squarrosa) . This has a wider dis- 

 tribution than the gum plant, being quite common on the plains 

 and prairies from the Saskatchewan to Minnesota, south to Texas 

 and Mexico, and westward to California. This species is very sim- 

 ilar to the gum plant, with the exception that it is smaller and does 

 not have the gummy appearance of the former. The leaves and 

 flowering tops are collected with those of the gum plant, Grindelia 

 robusta. 



Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) . Thoroughwort, cross- 

 wort, wood boneset, teasel, ague-weed, feverwort, thorough-stem or 

 thorough-wax, vegetable antimony, sweating plant, Indian sage, 

 wild sage, tearal, wild Isaac. Boneset delights in moist situations, 

 and is common as a weed in clayey or sandy soil, in low, wet 

 ground, and along the streams, on the edges of swamps and in 

 thickets from the New England States west to Nebraska and south 

 to Texas and Florida. 



One of the features which will aid in recognizing this plant is 

 the peculiar arrangement of the leaves. These are opposite each 

 other and joined together at the base around the stem, and therefore 

 have the appearance of a single leaf with the stem passing through 

 the center of it. Boneset is a perennial herb of the aster family 

 of plants (Asteracese) , with stout, rough, hairy stems 1 to 5 feet 

 high, from a horizontal, crooked root. The leaves and flowering 

 tops are the parts used in medicine, and these should be collected 

 when the plants are in flower, stripped from the stalk, and care- 

 fully dried. They lose about three-fourths of their weight in dry- 

 ing. The odor is faintly aromatic, the taste bitter and astringent. 

 As indicated by the common names "ague-weed" and "feverwort," 

 this is a popular remedy in fever and ague. It is used also in colds, 

 dyspepsia, jaundice, and for toning up the system. In large doses 

 it is an emetic and cathartic. Eupatorium or boneset leaves and 

 tops bring from 2 to 8 cents per pound. 



Catnip (Nepeta cataria). Catmint, catnip, cat's wort, field 

 mint. This very common weed is naturalized from Europe, and 

 is found in rather dry soil in waste places and cultivated land. 

 The erect, square stems of this perennial herb of the mint family 

 (Menthacese) grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet, are branched, and 

 somewhat whitish in appearance from the covering of fine white 

 hairs. The flowering tops and leaves are to be collected when the 

 plant is in flower and carefully dried. They have a strong mint- 

 like odor and a bitter taste. The coarser stems and branches should 

 be rejected. Catnip is used in derangements of women, as a mild 

 stimulant and tonic, and has a quieting effect on the nervous sys- 

 tem. Cataria or catnip is imported in but small quantities. The 

 price paid for the flowering tops and leaves is from 2 to 8 cents 

 per pound. 



Horehound (Marrubium vulgare). Houndsbene, marvel, mar- 

 rube. Horehound has been naturalized from Europe, and has 



