VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 273 



East Indies. (Sweet basil is the species most cultivated, 

 and was introduced into England in 1548. 



Culture. — Basil likes a rich, light soil, free from shade. 

 The plants may be started early in March, under glass, in 

 gentle heat. They should be thinned when the young 

 plants appear, and transplanted when of sufficient size 

 where the}- are to remain. Basil is rather difficult to 

 transplant, but can be carefully lifted in tufts with the 

 balls of earth attached, in a moist time, with complete 

 success. Give water and shade until established. It can 

 also be sown on the borders where it is to remain, but if 

 sown too early in the open air, the seed is apt to rot, or 

 the young plants to be killed by frost, as they are rather 

 tender. April is the month for sowing in the open ground. 

 Do not cover the seed deeply, but press the earth upon it. 

 Make the rows ten inches apart, and thin the sweet basil 

 to ten inches, and the bush, which is more dwarf, to five 

 inches in the row. Weeds must be kept under, and the 

 soil mellow, by frequent hoeing. Bush basil makes a very 

 pretty edging. It should be cut not too closely just as it 

 comes into flower, and hung up in small bundles in the 

 shade to dry for winter use; thus cut, it will soon grow 

 up again. When thoroughly dried, it may be pounded 

 fine and kept any length of time in closely stopped bottles. 



Seed. — Let some of the finest plants remain uncut, and 

 gather the seeds as they ripen. They will keep for six 

 years. 



Use. — The leaves and small tops are the parts em- 

 ployed, and give a delightful flavor in cookery. They 

 have a strong flavor of cloves, and are used in soups and 

 sauces, and other high-seasoned dishes. They are much 

 employed in French cookery. It is the most agreeable 

 of the pot herbs, and the most useful, except parsley and 

 sage. 



A small sprig of basil, on account of its odor, is an 

 agreeable addition to a bouquet of flowers. 

 18 



