132 



KITCHEN-GARDEX PLANTS. 



[chap. 



as directed for cabbages, and when the plants come up, they ought 

 to be thinned to six inches apart in the row. In the fall, the plants 

 are taken up and planted in rows at three feet apart, and two feet 

 apart in the row. During the first summer after this, none of the 

 leaves ought to be stripped off for use. If the plants throw up 

 seed-stalks, these should be kept cut down. During this summer, 

 the plants will become veiT strong, and the next spring they will 

 produce leaves, the stalks of which will be fit for use. They will 

 stand and flourish for any length of time on the same spot, and 

 their produce will be prodigious. When taken off for use, their 

 leaves should be stripped oft^, and not cut. It is perfectly hardy, 

 and all that it requires is digging the ground in the intervals and 

 between the plants in the month of November, and again early in 

 April, and giving a moderate supply of manure, once in Uvo years. 

 If propagated from offsets ; that is to say, shoots taken off from 

 the sides of the old stools, the offsets ought to be planted at the 

 distance before directed ; and, if they be stout, and planted out in 

 the fall, you may begin using the leaves the next spring. 



179. ROSEMARY is a beautiful little shrub. One of them 

 may be enough in a garden. It is propagated from slips, taken off 

 in the spring and planted in a cool place. 



180. RUE. — Still more beautiiul. Propagated in the same 

 manner. One plant of the kind is enough. 



181. RUTA-BAGA.— (See Turnip.) 



182. SAGE is raised from seed, or from slips. To have it at 

 hand for winter, it is necessary to dri/ it ; and it ought to be cut 

 for this purpose, before it comes out into hloonij as, indeed, is the 

 case with all other herbs. 



183. SALSAFY. — The seed of the salsafy veiy nearly resembles 

 that of the wild oat. It is a tap-rooted plant, resembUng the 

 parsnip in colour, and not very much unlike it in flavour. It is 

 usually sowed late in February or early in March, in drills a foot 

 apart, and, when the plants come up, they are thinned to six 

 inches apart in the row. Hoeing between to keep down the weeds 

 is all that is required. Though it is usually sowed so early in the 

 spring, it ought not to be sowed till ^lay, and even the middle of 

 May ; for, if sowed earlier, many of the plants will run up to seed, 

 and then thev become good for nothing for use. It is as hardy as the 

 parsiiip. It stands in the ground all the winter, without the smallest 

 injury, and need not be taken up to be put in house except as a 

 preacution against frost. Some people let part of their plants stand 



