574 KITCHEN GARDEN. 



56. ROCAMBOLE. 



Rocambole, Allium Scorodoprasum, is a hardy 

 bulbous-rooted perennial plant, a native of Denmark. 

 It has bulbs like Garlic, but the cloves are smaller. It 

 is cultivated for the same purpose as that species, and is 

 considered as having a more delicate flavour. 



Its cultivation is the same as for Garlic. 



57. ROSEMARY. 



Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, is an evergreen 

 shrub, a native of the south of Europe, and was culti- 

 vated here in 1548. It yields, by distillation, a light 

 pale essential oil of great fragrance, which is imparted 

 to rectified spirit. It is said to be the principal ingre- 

 dient in Hungary Water, and is drunk as tea for head- 

 aches, and by nervous persons. It prefers a lean dry 

 soil, or rubbish of old buildings ; and when it has esta- 

 blished itself on a wall, will resist the greatest cold of 

 our winters. It is propagated by cuttings or slips, in 

 April, the same as other frutescent medicinal plants. 



58. RUE. 



Ruta graveolens, or Garden Rue, is a low ever- 

 green shrub, a native of the south of Europe, and cul- 

 tivated here in 1562. The leaves have a powerful 

 unpleasant odour, and a hot, bitter nauseous taste. 

 Medicinally, Rue is stimulant and antispasmodic. In 

 modern practice, it is chiefly used in hysteria and 

 flatulent colic. 



It is propagated by slips in March or April, and will 

 succeed in almost any soil or situation. 



59. SAGE. 



Salvia officinalis, is a low evergreen shrub, a native 

 of the south of Europe, and cultivated here in 1597 

 There are several varieties, differing in the size, form, 



