HUE— SAGE. 



297 



Rut a Graveolens — RuE'. 



A perennial, evergreen under-sliriib from tlie Soiitli of 

 Europe. It flowers all summer, and is very well known 

 from its peculiar strong, unpleasant smelL Its taste is 

 bitter and pungent, and the leaves so acrid as to blister the 

 skin. It is a very powerful medicinal agent, and must be 

 employed with caution. It is tonic, stimulant, antispas- 

 modic, and an emmenagogue, owing its power to the 

 essential oil of the leaves. Rue is much used in hysteria 

 and nervous complaints, also for flatulent cholic. A strong 

 infusion as a clyster is found useful in the convulsions of 

 children. The plant is too powerful to be generally used 

 in family practice. 



Rue is propagated by seeds, cuttings, or slips. It must 

 not have a very rich soil, nor be suffered to run to seed. 

 Sow the seed and cultivate as hyssop. 



Salvia Officinalis'^SAQE, 



Sage is an evergreen under shrub, a native of the South 

 of Europe. It has been cultivated from the earliest times, 

 was classed among the heroic remedies, and considered 

 the best of medicines for prolonging human life. An old 

 Latin adage is Cur moriatur homo cui salvia crescit in 

 horto," Why should a man die while sage is growing in 

 his garden." Sage grows about two feet high, with 

 wrinkled ashy green leaves, and terminal blue flowers in 

 long spikes. It has a fragrant smell, and a warm bitterish 

 aromatic taste. 



Culture.Ssige is raised from seed, slips or cuttings. It 

 likes a dry, fertile soil. Sow the seeds in February, May, or 

 March, in shallow drills eight inches apart. Press the earth 

 upon the seed, covering them not over half an inch deep. 

 Thin the plants when well up to half a foot apart, planting 

 13* 



