310 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



plentifully as possible. When the head or enlargement of the 

 leaf-stalks at the base of the stem has attained about the size of a 

 hen's egg, it may be slightly earthed up so as to cover half of it, 

 and in about ten days afterwards cutting for use may be commenced 

 with the most forward plant, and continued as each plant advances 

 in growth. The plant is usually eaten boiled. In flavour it some- 

 what resembles Celery, but with a sweet taste and a more delicate 

 odour. Up to the present time, it is not much used in France, but 

 it deserves to be more extensively cultivated. 



FENNEL FLOWER 



Nigella sativa^ L. Ranunculacece. 



French, Nigelle aromatique. German, Schwarz-Kiiminel. Flemish and Dutch, 

 Narduszaad. Spanish, Neguilla. 



Native of the East. — Annual. — An erect-growing plant, with 

 a stiff, somewhat hairy, and branching stem. Leaves very deeply 



cut into linear segments, and 

 of a gray- green colour ; flowers 

 terminal, pale or gray-blue, 

 succeeded by toothed seed- 

 vessels filled with almost 

 triangular seeds, which are 

 rough-skinned, black, and have 

 rather a strong aromatic flavour. 

 Their germinating power lasts 

 for three years. There is a 

 variety with yellow seeds, but 

 resembling the type in every 

 other respect. The seed is 

 sown in April or May, and 

 preferably in light, warm soil. 

 The plants require no attention 

 while growing, and the seed 

 ripens towards August. The 

 ripe seeds are used for seasoning 

 in various culinary preparations. 

 In Germany the name of Schwarz-Kiimmel is also applied to 

 the seeds of the single-flowered Nigella damascena. 



Fennel Flower (flower and seed-vessel, 

 \ natural size). 



COMMON GARLIC 



Alliujn sativum^ L. Liliacece. 



French, Ail ordinaire. German, Gewohnlicher Knoblauch. Flemish, Look. Dutch, 

 Knoflook. Da7tish, Hvidlog. Italian, Aglio. Spanish, Ajo vulgar. Portuguese, Alho. 



Native of Southern Europe. — Perennial. — A bulbous plant, all 

 the parts of which, and especially the underground portion, have 



