D. M. FERRY & CO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 61 



General Cultural Directions. — Most of the vari- 

 eties 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 seed 

 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 (Pimpinella A nisum). Fr., Anis. Ger., Anis. 

 — A well known annual herb whose seeds, which have an 

 agreeable aromatic odor and taste, are used for dyspepsia 

 and colic and as a corrective of griping and unpleasant 

 medicines. Sow early and thin to three inches apart in 

 the row. 



Balm {Melissa officinalis). Fr., Melisse. Ger., 

 Melisse. — A perennial herb, easily propagated by 

 division of the root or from seed. The leaves have a 

 fragrant odor, similar to lemons, and are used for mak- 

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

 called balm wine. Plant early and thin to ten inches 

 apart. 



Bene (Sesamum Indicum). Fr., Bene. Ger., Bene. 

 — Much used in the South, but too tender for the North. 

 The seeds are used for food, and furnish an oil which 

 does not easily become rancid, and is used for softening 

 and whitening the skin. The leaves, if immersed in a 

 tumbler of water, will convert it into a mucilaginous 

 drink very beneficial in cases of cholera infantum, diar- 

 rhoea, etc. Do not plant until settled warm weather, 

 and allow the plants to stand two feet apart. 



Borage (Borago officinalis). Fr., Bourrache. Ger., 

 Boretsch. — 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 becomes a 

 troublesome weed. 



Caraway [Carum carui). Fr., Carvi. Ger., Kum- 

 mel. Cultivated for its seeds, which are used in con- 

 fectionery, cakes, etc., and the leaves are sometimes 

 used in soups. If sown in August, the plants will give 

 a fair crop of seed the next season. Plant in drills two 

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

 row. 



Catnip (Nepeta cataria). Fr., Nepeta. Ger., Kat- 

 zenkraut. — A hardy perennial, well known as a valu- 

 able mild nervine for infants. The plant 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. 



Coriander (Coriandrum sativum). Fr., Coriandre. 

 Ger., Koriander. — A hardy annual, cultivated for its 

 seeds, which have an agreeable taste, and are used in 

 confectionery and to disguise the taste of medicines. 

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

 ing the stems and leaves as little as possible, as when 

 injured they have a disagreeable odor, which they 

 impart to the seed. 



Dandelion (Taraxacum dens-leonis). Fr., Pis- 

 senlit. Ger., Lowenzahn. Improved Thick Leaved. 

 — Those who only know the Dandelion as the per- 

 sistent weed of our roadsides and lawns, know no 

 more of its real value than one who has only seen 

 the poisonous wild parsnip or carrot knows of the 

 value of these vegetables. The improved variety 

 makes one of the earliest and best greens in culti- 

 vation. For this purpose , sow early in the spring, on 

 very warm, rich soil, in drills eighteen inches apart ; 

 thin the young plants to five inches in the row, and 

 cultivate well, and they will be fit for cutting the next 

 spring. It is also grown extensively for its roots ; for 

 this purpose, sow in September, and cultivate well dur- 

 ing the fall and the following season, and the roots will 

 be fit to dig in October. 



Dandelion. Improved Thick Leaved. 



Dill (A nethum graveolens). Fr., Aneth. Ger., Dill. 

 — An annual cultivated for its seeds, which have an aro- 

 matic odor, and a warm, pungent taste. They are good 

 for flatulence and colic in infants, and are sometimes 

 added to pickled cucumbers to heighten the flavor. Sow 

 early in spring, and keep clear of weeds. 



Horehound {Marrubium vulgare). Fr., Marrube. 

 Ger., A ndorn. — A perennial herb, with a strong, aro- 

 matic 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. 



Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis). Fr., Hyssope. Ger., 

 /sop. — A hardy perennial with an aromatic flavor, and 

 warm, pungent taste. It is a stimulant and expectorant 

 and is used in asthma and chronic catarrh. The flower- 

 ing summits and leaves are the parts used. Il likes a 

 dry, sandy soil, and the plants should be thinned to 

 twelve inches apart. 



Lavender (Irtrw/^/n rv ni. Fr.. Lavcnde. Ger., 

 Lavcndel. — A hardy perennial, growing about two feet 

 high. Its long spikes are used for the distillation of 

 lavender water, or are dried and used to perfume linen. 

 It does best in light, warm soil. The flowers should be 

 picked before fading, and dried quickly. 



