22 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



soil, when the plants will quickly form themselves into healthy little 

 bushes, which will furnish a supply of green leaves until about the 

 beginning of October. A portion of them should then be lifted and 

 potted, or planted in boxes, and should be placed in a somewhat 

 genial temperature, where they will continue to furnish a supply of 

 green leaves when required throughout the winter. 



Uses. — The leaves are very aromatic and are used for seasoning. 

 Formerly, and even still in some countries, Basil was considered to 

 possess very active medicinal properties. Its agreeable perfume 

 and flavour recommend it as a kitchen-garden plant. 



Large Green Sweet Basil. — This appears to be the type of 

 the species. A low-growing plant, forming compact dense tufts 

 about 10 in. or i ft. high, and about as much across. Leaves 

 shining green, i to i J in. long ; flowers white, in long clusters. 



Large Purple Sweet Basil. — A plant of the same height and 

 habit as the preceding, from which it differs in having the leaves 

 and stems of a dark purplish-brown colour, and the flowers lilac. 



Lettuce-leaved Basil. — A variety with broad, crimped, un- 

 dulating leaves, from 2 to 4 in. long, and of a low-growing thick-set 



Bush, or Dwarf, Basil {Ocymum minimum). — A much dwarfer, 

 more compact, and more branching plant than the Common Basil ; 

 the leaves also are smaller. Flowers white ; seeds like those of the 

 Common Basil. Culture and uses the same. 



Green Bush Basil.— This plant, which is of a pleasing green 

 colour, is particularly suitable for growing in pots, and is very 

 commonly cultivated in this way. It may be often seen in the 

 windows of the poorest houses, especially in warm countries, being 

 highly esteemed for the fresh, bright verdure of its foliage and its 

 fine strong aromatic odour. It forms very compact tufts, covered, 



habit, somewhat less branch- 

 ing than either of the two 

 preceding kinds ; but the 

 plant is apparently derived 

 from the same type. The 

 flowers, which are closely 

 set in clusters, make their 

 appearance rather later in 

 this variety. The leaves of 

 this Basil, which are much 

 larger than those of any 

 other kind, are also much 

 fewer in number. 



Lettuce-leaved Basil natural size). 



Curled-leaved Basil.— A 



variety with green jagged- 

 edged, crisped, or curled 

 leaves ; very distinct. 



