D, M. FERRY & CO^S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE, 



6S 



Hromatic, jMedicinat and pot Rerbs 



GENERAL GUL-TURAL DIRBGTIONS 



MOST of the varieties thrive best on rich, sandy soil, which should be carefully prepared and well 

 cultivated, as the young plants are for the most part delicate and easily choked out by weeds. Sow 

 as early as the ground can be made ready, in drills sixteen to eighteen inches apart, taking pains that the 

 soil is fine and pressed firmly over the seed, or they may be planted as a second crop — the seeds sown in 

 beds in April, and the plants set out in June. Most of them should be cut when in bloom, wilted in the 

 sun and thoroughly dried in the shade. 



ANISE QPimpinella anisuni). A well known annual herb 

 whose seeds, which have an ag^reeable aromatic odor and 

 taste, are used for d3'spepsia and colic, and as a corrective of 

 griping and unpleasant medicines. Sow early and thin to 

 three inches apart in the row. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; 

 J^Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 



BALM {Melissa officinalis). A perennial herb, easily pro- 

 pagated by division of the root or from seed. The leaves 

 have a fragrant odor, similar to lemons, and are used for 

 making balm tea for use in fevers, and a pleasant beverage 

 called balm wine. Plant early and thin to ten inches apart. 

 Pkt. 5c; Oz. 25c; 2 Oz. 40c; h Lb. 75c; Lb. 2.50 



BASIL, SWEET (Ocimum hasilicuni). A hardy annual 

 from the East Indies. The seed and stems have the flavor of 

 cloves and are used for flavoring soups and sauces. Pkt. 5c; 

 Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; ^ Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 



BORAGE {Borago officinalis). A hardy annual used as a 

 pot herb and for bee pasturage. The leaves immersed in 

 water give it an agreeable taste and flavor. Sow in April and 

 thin to eight inches apart. In some places this sows itself 

 and becomes a weed. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; % Lb. 40c; 

 Lb. $1.25 



CARAWAY (Carum carui). Cultivated for its seed, which 

 is used in confectionery, cakes, etc. The leaves are some- 

 times used in soups. If sown early in August the plants will 

 give a fair crop of seed the next season, but when sown in the 

 spring will not seed until the next year. Plant in drills two 

 or three feet apart, and thin to six inches apart in the row. 

 Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; % Lb. 25c; Lb. 75c. 



CARAWAY FOR FLAVORING. Oz. lOc; 2 Oz. 15c; h Lb. 



20c; Lb, 50c. 



CAT=MINT, OR CATNIP (Nepeta cataria). A hardy 

 perennial, well known as a valuable mild nervine for infants. 

 The plants should be pulled up by the roots when in full 

 flower, and dried in the shade. The seed may be sown either 

 in the fall or early spring, in drills twenty inches apart. 

 Pkt. 5c; Oz. 30c; 2 Oz. 55c; % Lb. $1.00; Lb. $3.00 



CORIANDER (Coriandrum sativum). A hardy annual, 

 cultivated for its seed which has an agreeable taste, and is 

 used in confectionery, and to disguise the taste of medicine. 

 Sow early in the spring, and gather on a dry day, bruising 

 the stems and leaves as little as possible, for when injured 

 they have a disagreeable odor, which they impart to the seed. 

 Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; h Lb. 25c; Lb. 76c. 



CORIANDER FOR FLAVORING. 



?S Lb. 20c; Lb. 50c. 



DILL, COMlVlON (^Anethum graveolens'). An annual cul- 

 tivated for its seed, which has an aromatic odor, and a warm, 

 pungent taste. It is good for flatulence and colic in infants, 

 and is sometimes added to pickled cucumbers to heighten the 

 flavor. Sow early in spring, and keep clear of weeds. Pkt. 5c; 

 Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; \i Lb. 20c; Lb. 50c. 



DILL, MAMMOTH. An improved American variety grow- 

 ing much larger and maturing later than the preceding, and 

 is really a great acquisition. Pkt. 6c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 

 ^Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 



FENNEL, SWEET (Foeniculum officinale). A hardy per- 

 ennial. The leaves are largely used in soups, fish sauces, 

 garnishes and salads. The seed is sometimes used in confec- 

 tionery, Sow and cultivate like Anise. Pkt. 6c; Oz. 10c; 

 2 Oz. 20c; % Lb. 80c; Lb. $1.00 



HOREHOUND (MarruMum vulgare). A perennial herb, 

 with a strong, aromatic smell, and a bitter pungent taste. It 

 is a tonic, and enters largely into the composition of cough 

 syrups and lozenges. Will thrive in any soil, but is stronger 

 if grown on light, poor land. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 25c; 2 Oz. 40c; 

 ^Lb. 75c; Lb. $2.25 



Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; 



HYSSOP (Hyssopus officinalis'). A hardy perennial with 

 an aromatic flavor, and warm, pungent taste. It is a stimu- 

 lant and expectorant and is used in asthma and chronic 

 catarrh. The flowering summits and leaves are the pai"ts used. 

 It likes a dry, sandy soil, and the plants should be thinned to 

 twelve inches apart. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 25c; 2 Oz. 40c; h Lb. 75c; 

 Lb. $2.25 



LAVENDER (Lavendula vera). A hardy perennial, grow- 

 ing about two feet high. It is used for the distillation of laven- 

 der water, or dried and used to perfume linen. It does best in 

 light, warm soil. It should be picked before it becomes dry 

 and hard, and dried quickly. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 

 %Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 



MARJORAM, SWEET (Origanum marjorana). A peren- 

 nial plant, but not hardy enough to endure the winter of the 

 North. The young tender tops are used green for flavoring, 

 or they may be dried for winter use. Sow in drills as early as 

 possible, and thin out the plants to ten inches apart. Pkt. 5c; 

 Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; % Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 



ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis'). A hardy perennial 

 with fragrant odor, and a warm, aromatic, bitter taste. May 

 be easily raised from seed, but does not reach a size fit for 

 use until the second season. The dried leaves deteriorate rap- 

 idly with age. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 30c; 2 Oz. 55c; h Lb. $1.00; 

 Lb. $3.00 



RUE (Ruta graveolens). A hardy perennial with a peculiar 

 smell. The leaves are bitter, and so acrid as to blister the 

 skin. It is a stimulant and anti-spasmodic, but must be used 

 with great caution, as its use sometimes results in serious in- 

 jury. It must not be suffered to run to seed, and does best 

 on poor soil. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 26c; H Lb. 40c; 

 Lb. $1.25 



SAGE (Salvia officinalis). A hardy perennial possessing 

 some medicinal properties, but cultivated principally for use 

 as a condiment; it being used more extensivelj- than anj 

 other herb for flavoring and dressing. Sow early in spring 

 (four to five pounds per acre in drills) on very rich ground, 

 cultivate often and thin the plants to sixteen inches apart. Cut 

 the leaves and tender shoots just as the plant is coming into 

 floAver, and dry quicklj'^ in the shade. The plants will survive 

 the winter, and may be divided. If this is done they will give 

 a second crop superior in quality. Pkt. 5c ; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 

 ^Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.60 



SUMMER SAVORY (Satureiahortensis). A hardy annual, 

 the dried stems, leaves and flowers of which are extensively 

 used for flavoring, particularly in dressings and soups. Cul- 

 ture the same as that of Sweet "Marjoram. Pkt. 6c; Oz. 10c; 

 2 Oz. 20c; % Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 



TANSY (Tanacetum, vulgare'). A hardy perennial plant 

 from Europe, but growing wild in many parts of the country. 

 The leaves when green, have a peculiar, aromatic odor, which 

 they lose in drying. Cultivated for its medicinal properties 

 which are those common to bitter herbs. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 35c: 

 2 Oz. 60c; % Lb. $1.00; Lb. $3.60 



THYME (Thymus vulgaris). This herb is perennial, and 

 is both a medicinal and culinary plant. The yoiuig leaves and 

 tops are used for soups, dressing and sauce; a tea is maile of 

 the leaves which is a great remedy in nervous headache. 

 Sow as early as the ground will permit. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 25c; 

 2 Oz. 40c; ^Lb. 76c; Lb. $2.25 



WORMWOOD (Artemisia absin thium). A perennial plant 

 of strong and fragrant odor, and aromatic, but intensely 

 bitter taste. The leaves are used as a tonic and vermifuge, 

 and also for fresh bruises. Is raised from seed and propa- 

 gated by cuttings, or dividing the roots. A dry. poor soil is 

 best adapted to bring out the peculiar virtues of this plant. 

 Pkt. 6c; Oz. 16c; 2 Oz. 25c; ^ Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 



GUbTURB or BVDRGRBBIN TRBB SBCDS 



The seed of evergreen trees should be kept in a drv, cool place until time of sowing. As early in the spring as the ground 

 can be worked, the seed should be sown thinly in beds of fine, sandy loam, raised about four inches above the general surface. 

 The seed can be raked m, or if very small, it may lie upon the surface and then be rolled in or patted with the back of the 

 spade to firm the earth around the seed; then water very thoroughly but carefully, using a fine spiav. The vouna; j^lants ai-^ 

 very apt to damp off, and need to be shaded from the hot sun and drving winds. A good shade caii be made of latlis nailed 

 two mches apart to a light frame. This should be supported about eiglit inches above the seed beil in such a wav as to be easily 

 removed to allow cultivation and weeding. Do not allow the young pkints to become choked with weeds. Let them remain 

 one or two years before transplanting to permanent ground 



