MEDICINAL HERBS. 



A FEW roots of the most useful of these should be found 

 in every garden. The following is a description of those 

 most used in families, including their medical qualities, 

 and ample directions for their cultivation. The medicinal 

 properties of many of these depend upon their aromatic 

 qualities, and they are never so fragrant and full of vir- 

 tue when grown upon ground highly manured. Cham- 

 omile, lavender, rosemary, rue, wormwood, and many 

 others, lose much of their strength when forced into rank 

 growth. Common garden soil, without manuring, is quite 

 good enough. Whenever the plants begin to decline, take 

 away the old surface soil, and apply fresh, or set out new 

 plants in fresh ground. 



Medicinal, pot, or sweet herbs, as a general rule, should 

 be gathered when in bloon, and dried carefully and thor- 

 oughly in the shade. When thoroughly dry, press them 

 closely into paper bags, or powder them finely ; sift, and 

 keep in closely-stopped bottles. 



ANETHUM. 



Anetkum Graveolens — Dill. 



An annual, a native of Southern Europe, and also of 

 the Cape of Good Hope. Cultivated for its seeds, which 

 have an aromatic odor, and a warm, pungent, and some- 

 what bitter taste. Medicinally, they are good for flatu- 

 lence and colic in infants. • The leaves are sometimes 

 used for culinary purposes, and the seeds are occasionally 

 added to pickled cucumbers to heighten the flavor. 



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