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

 in every garden. The medicinal properties of many of 

 them depend upon their aromatic qualities, and they are 

 never so fragrant and full of virtue when grown upon 

 ground highly manured. Chamomile, lavender, rose- 

 mary, 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 bloom, 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. 



Angelica, (Archangelica officinalis,) is an Umbellifer- 

 ous biennial plant, growing from three to five feet high, 

 and a native of many parts of Northern Europe. The 

 whole plant is powerfully aromatic. Its roots have a 

 fragrant, agreeable odor, and at first a sweetish taste, 

 which soon turns acrid in the mouth. Its medical proper- 

 ties are aromatic, stimulant, and gently tonic. 



Its stalks were formerly blanched and eaten like celery, 

 but it is mostly cultivated to make a sweetmeat from 

 them when young and tender. They are also candied by 

 the confectioners. 



Sow the seed one foot apart in August or September, 

 and when they get about four inches high, the next spring, 

 322 



