COXDIMEXTS AXD SEASOXIXG HERBS 287 



Marjorum, Pot. (Origanum Onitcs). A perennial, native of 

 Sicily. Propagated by division of the roots. 



Mint; ' 4 Meenchi " S. (Mentha viridis. Labiatae). A small 

 herbaceous perennial with creeping rhizomes. It is one of the 

 most valuable of all seasoning herbs, and is universally cultivated 

 in temperate climates. The tops and young leaves are used for 

 flavouring in numerous ways, as in soups, salads, and sauces, or 

 boiled with peas, potatoes, etc. The plant grows freely in Ceylon 

 hill gardens, becoming acclimatised in places ; it also thrives 

 moderately well in damp and shady places in the low-country. It 

 is easily propagated by division of the roots and underground 

 stems, and is especially suited to a moist rich soil. 



Mustard; "Aba"S. ; 44 Kadugu"7\ (Stnapis nigra\ Brassica 

 jitncei. Cruciferae ). A small annual, introduced into Ceylon and 

 now naturalised in waste places in the low- country. The small 

 seeds, when powdered, form the well-known condiment mustard ; 

 they are also used whole for flavouring pickles and numerous 

 preparations. In Europe the plants, when very young, are used 

 as salad, usually with cress. Propagation by seed ; sow broadcast 

 on a smooth surface of loose, friable soil. 



Parsley. ( Petroselinnin sativum. Umbelliferae). From early 

 times this has been cultivated as a medicinal plant. It is now uni- 

 versally grown for seasoning and garnishing purposes, and no 

 garden is complete without it. It grows luxuriantly in up-country 

 gardens and, with some shelter from the sun and heavy rains, will 

 also thrive tolerably well at medium and even low elevations. 

 Seed is best sown at the end of the heavy rains, or, on the plains, 

 before the cold weather sets in, either in drills in the open, or in 

 boxes under cover, afterwards transplanting the seedlings out with 

 a good ball of the earth in which they germinated. Parsley thrives 

 best in a rich soil; in the low-country, a damp shady situation suits 

 it best. There are many varieties, among those well-known being 

 44 Myatt's Garnishing," "Sutton's Imperial Curled," "Fine Doubled 

 Curled," etc. 



Rosemary. (Rosmarinus officinalis. Labiatae). A dwarf 

 shrub, native of South Europe, and commonly grown in European 

 gardens for its pleasantly fragrant leaves. These are occasionally 

 used for seasoning, and a decoction is made from them for reliev- 

 ing headaches and for hair-wash ; they are also used in the 

 manufacture of Eau-de-Cologne and other scents. Propagated 

 from seed. Suited for Hill gardens. 



