302 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



61. SWEET FENNEL. ANETHUM. 



Anethum Fceniculum dulce ( sweet ). Fcenicu- 

 lum was the generic name of the common fennel, but 

 was changed by the Linnaean system to Anethum, as 

 a variety of the Dill. That of dulce was added to 

 distinguish it from the other varieties. The sweet- 

 ness lies principally in the seed, which is sometimes 

 used for medicinal purposes. 



Sweet fennel, more generally known by the Italian 

 name of Finochia, is an annual, a native of the south- 

 ern part of Europe, and was introduced into Eng- 

 land in the beginning of the seventeenth century. 



Finochia is but partially cultivated at the present 

 time, as the taste and flavour are not much esteemed 

 by the English gentry. The insipidity of the taste, 

 however, is compensated in some measure by the 

 method of cooking, which was communicated to 

 the author as follows : After laying about half an 

 hour in water, it should be parboiled; and after 

 being drained a short time, put into the stewpan 

 with some rich gravy or sauce, there to remain 

 until quite tender. But after all, it is a chance if it 

 becomes a dainty dish (to use old Gerard's expres- 

 sion), fit for a queen : it will however occasionally 

 fill up a chasm, as a side dish at table 



Culture. Finochia being an annual, can only be 

 propagated by seed, which requires to be sown on 

 a light rich soil, if rather moist the better, in an open 

 situation ; and supposing that a large quantity will 

 not be wanted, a line of eight or ten yards will most 

 likely produce a sufficiency. 



