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THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



not last longer than one year, and to ensure even this they must 

 be kept in water. The plant is not usually cultivated, the fruit 



Water Chestnut (xV natural size). Fruit (natural size). 



being gathered where it grows wild. The kernel of the fruit, which 

 is floury and of a very agreeable flavour, is eaten boiled. 



WOODRUFF 



Asperula odorata, L. Rubiacece. 



French, Asperule odorante. Gerjuan, Waldmeister. Dutch, Lieve vrouw bedstroo. 



Native of Europe. —Perennial. — This plant is chiefly found in 

 woods or shady places. Stems weak, prostrate,- bearing whorls of 



oval-lanceolate leaves which are finely 

 toothed on the margin, and very rough 

 to the touch, as are also the stems ; flowers 

 small, pure white, with four divisions, 

 and growing together in a spreading 

 corymb ; seed almost spherical, gray, 

 and bristling with a large number of 

 very small recurved points. The whole 

 plant exhales a very agreeable perfume, 

 especially when dried. The Woodruff is 

 seldom cultivated except as an ornamental 

 plant. It is perfectly hardy, and grows 

 well either in a bed or as an edging, 

 if planted in good moist soil in a half- 

 shady position. In the north of Europe 

 the leaves are sometimes used to flavour beverages. 



WoodrufF ( natural size ; 

 detached flowers, natural size). 



WORMWOOD 



Artemisia Absinthium, L. Compositce. 



French, Absinthe. German, Wermuth. Flemish, Alsem. Danish, Malurt. Italian,. 

 Assenzio. Spanish, Ajenjo. 



Native of Europe. — Perennial. — This plant is often grown in 

 gardens on account of its medicinal properties. Stems 3 to 5 ft. 



