666 



PRACTICE OF GARDENING. 



Part III. 



4100. Propagation. Thoj' are all raised from seed, of which half an ounce is sufficient for a seed-bed 

 four feet by six feet. Sometimes also, they are raised from ofifsets from the old plants, where only a few 

 are wanted. " Sow in the spring in light earth, either in drills from six to twelve inches apart, or 'broad- 

 cast and raked in. When ihe plants are three or four inches high, thin or transplant a quantity fifteen 

 inches asunder. As the roots of old plants divide into side ofltsets, these may be slipped off in' spring 

 summer, or autumn, and planted a foot apart. They will produce immediate leaves for present supply* 

 and in continuance ; or for an immediate larger supply of leaves, you may procure some established fiili 

 roots, and plant as above ; let them be well watered." 



4101. Subsequent culture. " The same plants remain several years by the root : but as fennel sends up 

 strong stems for seed in summer, these, or a part of them, should be cut down, to encourage a production 

 of young leaves below, in succession. It is apt to spread more than is desirable, if suffered to seed. The 

 swelling stems of the finochio variety, when of some tolerable substance, should be earthed up on each 

 side five or six inches to blanch them white and tender. This will be effected in ten davs or a fortnight • 

 and by successive sowings, or cutting down plants during summer, successive crops of blaiiched stalks may 

 be had from June to December." 



4102. To save seed. Permit some of the best stalks to shoot ; they will produce large umbels of seed 

 in autumn. {Abercrombie.) 



SuBSECT. 5. BUI. — Anethum graveolens, L.. {Blackw. t. 545.) Pent. Trig. L. and 

 UmbeUiferce, J. VAneth, Fr. ; Dill. Ger. ; Aneto, Ital. 



4103. The dill is a hardy biennial plant, a native of Spain, and introduced in 1570. 

 The plant is of upright growth, somewhat similar to fennel, but smaller. It has finely- 

 divided leaves, and a slender single stem, bearing an umbel of flowers at top, which ap- 

 pear in June and July. The whole plant is powerfully aromatic. 



4104. Use. The leaves are used to heighten the relish of some vegetable pickles, 

 particularly cucumbers ; and also occasionally in soups and sauces. The whole herb is 

 also used in medical preparations. 



4105. Culture. It is raised from seed, of which half an ounce is sufficient for a bed three feet by four 

 feet. " Sow annually in February, March, or April, or occasionally in autumn, as "soon as the seed is 

 ripe, to come up stronger in the spring, in any open compartment ; either in drills, six or twelve inches 

 apart ; or broad-cast thinly, and raked in evenly. The plants sliould remain where raised ; and may be 

 thinned moderately, should they rise too thick. They will shoot up in stalks, with leaves and seed-um- 

 bels in summer and autumn, for use in proper season." 



4106. To save seed. " Leave some plants where raised : they will furnish plenty of seed in autumn. 

 Or, from self-sown seeds, many plants rise spontaneously in the spring." [Abercrombie.) 



SuBSECT. 6. Chervil. — Scandix Cerefolium, L. j Chceroi)hyllum sativum of Persoon'5 

 Synopsis Tlmitarum. {Eng. Bat. 1268.) Pentand. Dig. L. and UmbellifercB, J. 

 Ceifeuil, Fr. ; Gcirtenkerbel, Ger. ; and Cerfoglio, lial. (Jig. 471.) 



4107. The chervilis an annual plant, a native ^„ 

 of various parts of the continent of Europe, and 

 sometimes observed naturalised in our gardens 

 in England. The plant rises from a foot to 

 near two feet high ; the leaves are of a very 

 delicate texture, three times divided, and the 

 flowers, of a wliitish color, appear in June. 

 There is a variety cultivated in the Paris gar- 

 dens with beautifully frizzled leaves. 



4108. Use. The tender leaves are used in 

 soups and salads ; but are much less in demand 

 now than formerly. 



4109. Cultui-e. It is propagated from seed ; and for a 

 bed four feet by four, a quarter of an ounce is sufficient. 

 " Sow a bed or" two in August and September, as well to 

 come in use at the end of the same autumn, as to stand 

 for winter and spring. If a continued succession be re- 

 quired in spring and summer, begin to sow again in the 

 last fortnight of February, and sow a portion every 

 month till August, or twice a month in the midst of 

 summer ; as the plants of the spring and summer sow- 

 ings soon run up for seed. Sow the seed in shallow drills, from six to nine inches apart, and earth in 

 lightly ; or sow occasionally broad-cast, and rake in evenly, just covering the seed. The plants are to 

 remain where sown. When the leaves are two, three, or four inches in growth, they are" proper for 

 gathering. Cut them off close, they will shoot up again, and may be gathered in succession, though the 

 plants of the spring and summer sowing soon spindle up into seed-stalks, ceasing to produce young leaves, 

 which are the useful parts." 



4110. To save seed. " Leave some plants in the spring : they will shoot to stalks, and give ripe seed in 

 J.uly or August." {Abercrot?!ble.) 



SuBSECT. 7. Horse-radish. - 

 , Silic, L. and Crucifercs, J. 

 and Ramolaccio, Ital. 



Cochlearia Armoracia, L. {Eng. Bot. 

 Cranson, or Le Grand Raifort, Fr. ; 



2223.) Tetrad. 

 2Ierrettis:, Ger. ; 



4111. The horse-radish is a -perenma]. -plant, growing naturally in marshy places, and 

 by the sides of ditches, in some parts of England. The leaves are very large, oblong, 

 sometimes smooth, and at other times notched at the edges ; on the stem they are some- 

 times deeply pinnatifid ; the flowers are white, and appear in loose panicles in May and 

 June. It has been long cultivated in gardens, and forms one of the most profitable 

 articles raised by the mai'ket-gardener. 



