52 



THE HERB-GARDEN 



rich entertainment to prevent indigestion, consisted 

 of meal with Anise, Cumin, and other aromatics. 

 Such a cake was commonly brought in at the end 

 of a marriage feast, and hence the bride-cake of 

 modern times. The least suspicion of Anise among 

 the spices in a wedding-cake of these days would 

 be thought dreadful. Tastes have changed so 

 much, or is it possible that people were strong- 

 minded enough at one time not to object to the 

 addition of certain unpalatable ingredients if con- 

 vinced they would do them good ? In the East, 

 as everybody knows, Anise, with other aromatic 

 Herbs, was used in part payment of taxes : ' Ye pay 

 tithe of Mint, Anise, and Cummin.' 



Cumin, Cumimnn Cyminum, or Cummin, as it is 

 spelt in tlie Bible, is a Herb which not to have in 

 our garden is considered one of its failures. It is 

 invariably asked for during that pleasant idle hour 

 between church and luncheon, when most people 

 wander round their own gardens and each other's 

 gardens making remarks and observing anything 

 new. Myrrh and Hyssop are there, and Mint of 

 course. Where, then, is the Cumin ? The seeds 

 are difficult to get, as it is so seldom grown in 

 England. Gerarde says they have the same virtue 

 as the Caraway. ' Cumin good for eyes,' writes 



