142 THE AMATEURS’ GUIDE 
offsets. ‘When once established, the only care required is to keep 
it from extending itgelf too profusely. 
BASIL, SWEET.—(ocymum BasILicum. ) 
Cultivated for various culinary purposes. The young leaf-tops 
are used in making salads and soups, their flavor resembling that 
of cloves. May be propagated from cuttings. 
BENE-PLANT.—(sESAMUM ORIENTALE. ) 
The seed should be sown in a warm border, in shallow drills 
about one foot apart, and the plants protected against frost. A 
couple of leaves, when green, placed in a tumbler of water forms 
a thin jelly, without taste or color, which children afflicted with 
the summer complaint will drink freely. An invaluable plant, 
and the best remedy for this fatal disease. If the top of the plant 
be pinched off, it will throw out leaves in profusion. Cats are 
quite fond of it and frequently destroy it. 
BONESET.#—(f£UPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM. ) 
A medicinal plant, chiefly cultivated for its leaves, which are 
used in decoctions. Its medicinal properties are those of a tonic 
stimulant, and when given in moderate quantities are said to pro- - 
mote digestion and restore tone to the system. 
BORAGE,—(BoRaGo OFFICINALIS. ) 
This herb possesses sedative properties. The young leaves are 
used asa salad. The plant is quite ornamental, and may be pro- 
pagated from suckers . 
CATNEP.*—(nEPErA CATARIA.) 
td 
Used medicinally in the form of a tea. Cats are very fond of it 
when the scent of the plant is excited by being bruised from 
gathering or transplanting, and frequently destroy it. When 
grown from seed, they will not generally disturb it unless from 
like causes. 
