THE MINT FAMILY. 



231 



Lavender. — (Lavendula spica.) — Native of southern Europe. — 

 Perennial. — A low undershrub grown chiefly for its flowers 

 which are used in the manufacture of perfumery. Generally in- 

 creased by dividing the old roots. It delights in a fine, ricn, 

 rather calcareous soil. 



Peppermint. — (Mentha piperita.) — Native of northern Europe. 

 — Perennial. — Propagated by divisions of the stems; occasionally 

 a roadside weed in moist places. It is cultivated in the same 

 way as spearmint. Used mostly for its essential oil which is ob- 

 tained by distillation. The raising of this plant forms a con- 

 siderable industry in a few locations in the northern states. 



Sage. — (Salvia officinalis.) — Native of southern Europe. — Per- 

 ennial. — Plants forming broad tufts about sixteen inches high; 

 flowers in heads of three or four in terminal clusters, usually 

 bluish white but sometimes white or pink. The seeds are round 

 and of medium size. Plants come readily from seed, which should 



be sown in early spring. It is cus- 

 tomary in a small way to bow the 

 seed outdoors and allow the plants 

 to remain w^here they grow for sev- 

 eral years. Where it is grown on a 

 large scale, however, the plants are 

 generally put out as a second 

 crop, following early peas or cab- 

 bage. There is some uncertainty 

 about its coming through very se- 

 vere winters in the northern states, 

 but it generally does so in good 

 shape; it is more reliable if banked 

 with earth or covered with litter in 

 winter. Broad-leaved sage is aL 



Fig. 123-Praiich of sage plant. improved kind. 



Sweet Basil. — (Ocymum basilicum.) — Native of India. — An- 

 nual. — Stem about one foot high; very branching. The leaves 



and other green parts have an agreeable aromatic odor and are 

 used in seasoning. Sow indoors in March or April and trans- 

 plant as soon as t^e weather is settled. It may also be sown in 

 the open ground early in the spring. 



