DANDELION 



28g 



in erect, strong, thickly set tufts. The leaves are long, stout, 

 toothed, and slightly brown. It is very early, vigorous, and more 

 prolific than most of the other Dandelions. 



Moss-leaved Dandelion. — A distinct variety of Curled-leaved 

 Dandelion, much denser and more compact than the Common 

 kind, and apparently permanent in its characteristics. The blade 

 of the leaf is divided and, as it were, slashed into narrow strips. 

 The plant can be easily blanched, and in that condition affords 

 a salad not unlike Curled Endive, but coming in in spring, when 

 it is very difficult to have any Endive fit for table use. 



DILL 



Anethum graveolens, L. Umbelliferce. 



French^ Aneth. German^ Dill. Flemish, Dille. Danish, Dild. Italian, Aneto. 



Spanish^ Eneldo. 



Native of Southern Europe. — Annual. — A plant 2 to over 2\ ft 

 high. Leaves very much cut into thread-like segments ; stem 

 glaucous green, hollow, very smooth, and branching ; flowers 

 yellowish, with very small petafe which are rolled inwards, borne 

 in compound umbels without bracts ; seeds very flat, and having 

 a strong and bitter flavour; their germinating power lasts for 

 three years. The plant, in its general appearance, very much 

 resembles the Common Fennel, and all its green parts have a 

 flavour Hke that of Fennel and Mint combined. Sown in April, 

 where the plants are to stand, it succeeds well in the open air, in 

 any kind of well-drained soil, especially in a warm position. The 

 seeds are used as a condiment, or for pickling with Gherkins. In 

 the north of France they are often employed for flavouring winter 

 preserves. 



EGG-PLANT 



Solanum Melongena^ L. SolanacecB. 



French, Aubergine. Gertnan, Eierpflanze. Flemish, Eierplant. Italian, Petronciano. 

 Spanish, Berengena. Portuguese, Beringella. 



Native of India. — Annual. — Stem erect, branching ; leaves 

 entire, oblong, of a gray-green colour, more or less powdery, and 

 often spiny on the veins. Flowers solitary in the axils of the 

 branches, shortly stalked ; corolla monopetalous, and of a dull 

 violet colour ; calyx often spiny, increasing in size with the fruit. 

 Seeds small, flattish, kidney-shaped, and yellow ; their germinating 

 power lasts for six or seven years. 



Culture. — In the climate of Paris the Egg-plant can seldom 

 be grown without the aid of artificial heat. The seed is usually 

 sown on a hot-bed in February or March, and the seedlings are 



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