TARRAGON. 303 



About the beginning of April, the place being 

 selected, and the ground previously well broken 

 up, a deep drill should be drawn, at the bottom of 

 which the seed may be thinly scattered and lightly 

 covered. The mould lying on each side will be 

 wanted hereafter ; and the reason why this seed is 

 advised to be sown in a drill, is, because it will not 

 bear transplanting, but must remain until it is fit 

 for use. 



If the seed is good, it will be up in the course of 

 eight or ten days, and after the plants have gained 

 sufficient strength, they must be -thinned out to six 

 or eight inches apart, and a little earth drawn up on 

 each side of them. They will want no further at- 

 tention for nearly a month, except keeping them free 

 from weeds. 



At the end of that time the plants may be earthed 

 up similarly to celery, as high as they will admit of, 

 and in about three weeks afterwards they will be fit 

 for use, which is known by the blanched part being 

 of a whitish colour. 



The stalks of Finochia (which form the edible 

 parts), grow hollow, and swell to a considerable size 

 in the middle ; hence they have a very singular ap- 

 pearance. 



62 TARRAGON. ARTEMISIA. 



The derivation of the botanic name of this plant 

 is uncertain. Tarragon is so called from the specific 

 Latin word, dracunculus, or dragon's wort, on ac- 

 count of its hot or biting qualities. 



Tarragon is perennial, and a native of Siberia 



