FENNEL. 113 



spring in shallow drills from six to ten inches apart; 

 and, if intended to remain, in some warm corner, 

 to cause it to have an early growth : it is also pre- 

 ferable to transplanting, as the roots, from being 

 long and fleshy, are rather tardy in striking. When 

 the plants are three or four inches high, they must 

 be either thinned or transplanted to about fifteen 

 inches apart. The roots of the old plants also 

 divide into offsets, and when only a small quantity 

 is wanted, they may be slipped off in spring, sum- 

 mer, or autumn, and planted a foot apart, when 

 they will produce an immediate supply of leaves. 

 The fennel continues good for many years ; but as it 

 sends up strong stems for seed in summer, these 

 should be cut down, to encourage a production of 

 young leaves below, in succession ; and, by not 

 allowing it to seed, to keep the plants from spread- 

 ing more than is desirable. 



Some writers have attempted to give a reason for 

 the two varieties of colour arising from the same 

 plant. The author himself made an experiment 

 for two successive years, to ascertain the fact, by 

 clearing out, to a considerable distance, every other 

 colour but the one intended, so as to avoid any im- 

 pregnation. However, all would not do, as the seed 

 sown in the two successive years equally produced 

 a mixture of colours. Hence the question may be 

 asked, is there not something inherent in the nature 

 of fennel to cause this singularity ? 



The sweet fennel will be treated of under its 

 proper head. 



