76 



CHAMOMILrE. 



sionally hoed. The roots will be fit for use in Septembel 

 &T October. Sabine states, that he has been informed that 

 the plan of giving excess of water is peculiar to this plant, 

 and that its vigorous growth is more dependent on richness 

 of soil than any other cause. Abercombie directs to earth 

 up the bulbs four or five inches, after they are full grown, 

 in order to blanch them. 



" Use, — The blanched leafed-staiks are used raw, as a sal- 

 ad,, from August till March ; they are also stewed, and put 

 in soups. In Italy, the unblanched leaves are used for 

 soups, and w^hen neither the blanched nor the green leaves 

 can be had, the seeds bruised form a good substitute. The 

 root only of the variety called the celeriac is used, and Sabine 

 informs us {Hort. Trans., vol. iii.) ' it is excellent in soups, 

 in which, whether white or brown, slices of it are used as 

 ingredients, and readily impart their flavour. With the Ger- 

 mans, it is also a common salad, for which the roots are 

 prepared by boiling, until a fork will pass easily through 

 them : after they are boiled, and become cold, they are 

 eaten with oil and vinegar. They are also sometimes serv- 

 ed up at table, stewed with rich sauces. In all cases, before 

 they are boiled, the coat and the fibres of the roots, which 

 are very strong, are cut away ; and the root is put in cold 

 water, on the fire, not in water previously boiling.' " — 

 Loudon. 



CHAMOMILE,— Antkemis nobilis. 



Varieties. — These are the common single and double- 

 flowered. 



Soil and culture. — This herb delights in a poor, sandy 

 soil. " Both kinds are propagated by parting the roots, or 

 by slips of the rooted offsets or of the runners. Detach 

 them with roots in little tufty sets in March, April or May, 

 and plant them from eight to twelve inches asunder, giving 

 water. The flowers should be gathered in their prime, in 

 June or July, just when full-blown. Let them be spread 

 to dry in a shady place ; then put them into paper bags, 

 and house them for use." — Ahercromhie. 



" Use. — It is cultivated on account of the flower, which is 

 a safe bitter and stomachic, and much used under the name 

 of chamomile-tea. The double-flowering variety, though 

 more beautiful than the single-flowered, is less useful ; the 

 aromatic principle not residing in the floscules of the ray, 

 the multiplication of whi(di constitutes the double flower. 

 The double sort, however, Is most cultivated by growers 



