284 CONDIMENTS AND SEASONING HERBS 



may be sown in drills about 16 inches apart, or in boxes, the seed- 

 lings being afterwards transplanted at a distance 9 or 10 inches 

 apart. Sometimes grown in Hill gardens. 



Coriander. u Kothamallie " S. ( Coriandrum sativum. Um- 

 belliferae). An annual, cultivated in Europe as a seasoning herb ; 

 also commonly grown in India, from which large quantities are 

 exported. The young leaves are used for flavouring soups and 

 salads, and the seed in confectionery, medicine, etc. Succeeds in 

 ordinary soils. Propagated from seed, which may be sown in 

 drills, the plants being afterwards thinned out to 1 foot apart. In 

 India the seed is usually sown broadcast. 



Curry-Leaf. See " Karapincha." 



Cummin ; u Sudu-duru " S. ; " Shiragam " 7~. ( C u in i n n in 

 Cyiiiimun. Umbelliferae ). An annual, 1-2 ft. high, with Fennel- 

 like feathery leaves, and seeds ( fruits ) like Caraway, but slightly 

 larger and lighter in colour than the latter. This appears to have 

 been cultivated in Palestine from very early times, as it is mention- 

 ed in the Old and New Testaments. Cummin has similar pro- 

 perties to Caraway and Dill, and at one time largely took the place 

 of these in confectionery and medicine. It is still employed in 

 Germany, Holland, etc., and very largely imported into tropical 

 South America generally, where, I am informed, it takes precedence 

 of all other condiments for seasoning purposes. It is also imported 

 into India, Ceylon, Straits, etc., and sold everywhere in the bazaars 

 or boutiques as a condiment for meat-curries and such like. 

 Apparently it is nowhere cultivated within the Torrid Zone. 

 The chief sources of production are Malta, Persia, Turkey and 

 Morocco, though it is said to be also somewhat extensively grown 

 in the Punjab and N. W. Provinces of India. "Ordinary" to 

 "good " Morocco cummin seed fetches in London from 20s. to 22s. 

 per cwt., and "common" to "fair" Malta 27s. to 29s. 



11 Black Cumin," which is extensively cultivated in India, is 

 the seed of Nigel la saliva, a Ranunculaceous plant, native of 

 Southern Europe. 



Dill. ( Pcucedanum graveolens. Umbelliferae). A biennial of 

 Southern Europe, the aromatic leaves of which are used in soups, 

 sauces, etc. ; the seeds yield an oil of medicinal value and from 

 which the well-known " Dill-water " for infants is made. The 

 plant is of easy culture, and thrives in various parts of India. Seed 

 may be sown in drills, and the plants afterwards thinned out. 



