CONDIMENTS AND SEASONING HERBS 283 



well-known cordi.il. The leaves are also used for flavouring pur- 

 poses and garnishing. The plant requires a light rich soil, and 

 may he grown from seed sown in drills 8 inches apart. Suited to a 

 rather dry climate. It is said to be commonly grown on the plains 

 in India, but is not cultivated in Ceylon. Aniseed usually fetches 

 from 24s. 6</. to 26s. per cwt. in London. 



Basil, Sweet; " Suwanda-Tala " S. (Ocitnum basilicum. Labi- 

 atie ). An annual about a foot high, native of India and natural- 

 ised or commonly grown in the low-country of Ceylon. It is 

 cultivated in Europe and elsewhere for its highly fragrant and 

 aromatic leaves, which are used for flavouring soups, etc., but 

 their strong odour is disagreeable to many persons. The plant is 

 sacred to the Hindus, and is commonly cultivated near their 

 temples. Thrives best at low and medium elevations. 



Borage. (Borago officinalis. Labiatae). A small annual with 

 coarse hairy leaves and pretty, blue flowers, both of which are 

 sometimes used in Europe for garnishing, but more frequently as 

 an ingredient in claret-cup. It is not often grown in Ceylon, nor 

 in India, though it thrives at the higher elevations, especially in 

 the dry seasons. 



Caraway. ( Carum Canii. Umbelliferae). A biennial, native 

 of Eastern Europe, 1^ to 2 feet high, cultivated for its well-known 

 aromatic seeds which are much used in confectionery, also for 

 flavouring spirits and perfuming soap. It does not seem to be 

 anywhere grown in Ceylon, although it would probably succeed in 

 dry districts at moderate elevations, as in Uva. The seed should 

 be sown in drills one inch deep, with 12 inches between the drills, 

 the plants being afterwards thinned out as may be necessary. 



Chervil. ( Anthriscus cerefolinm. Umbelliferae). An annual, 

 native of Europe, the young leaves of which are sometimes used 

 as an ingredient in salads and for flavouring purposes. Suited to 

 the higher elevations. Sow seed broadcast on a bed of smooth 

 surface. 



Chives. (Allinm schcenoprasum. Liliaceae). A small per- 

 ennial, cultivated for its leaves, which are used in salads and soups 

 instead of young onions. It is propagated by seed or division of 

 the roots, and will grow in ordinarily good soil. The plant is 

 little known in India or Ceylon, and the same is probably true of 

 the rest of the tropics. 



Clary. ( Sahia Sclareu. Labiatae ). A small biennial, the 

 leaves of which are sometimes used for flavouring soups, etc. Seed 



