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FERRY & CO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 



Marjoram. Sweet 



AROMATIC, MEDICINAL AND POT HERBS 



3Iost of The varieties of herbs thrive best on sandy soil and some are stronger and better flavored -when grown on that which 

 is rather poor. In aU cases the soil should be caref ully 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 reads". i n 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. 3Iost of them should be cut when in bloom, wilted in the sun and thoroughly dried in the shade. 

 ANISE {Pimpinella anisum) An annual herb cultivated princi- 

 pally for its seeds which have a fragrant, agreeable smell and a 

 pleasant taste: used medicinally for aromatic cordials, colic and 

 nausea. The leaves are sometimes used for garnishing and 

 flavoring. Plant of slender upright growth with deeply cut 

 foliage; flowers small, vellowish white, borne in large loose 

 umbels. Pkt, Sc, 2 for 15c; Oz. 20c. 



BALM (Melissa officinalis) 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 making balm tea for 



use in fevers and a pleasant beverage called balm wine. Plant 



one to two feet high.' hairy, loosely branched with ovate leaves; 



flowers white or pale yellowin loose axillarv clusters. Pkt. 8c, 



2 for 15c; Oz. 30c. 

 BASIL, SWEET {Ocimum basilicurri) A hardy, aromatic annual. 



The seeds and stems have a strong flavor and are used in soups 



and sauces. Plant about eighteen inches high, branching, with 



ovate toothed leaves: flowers white or bluish white in leafy 



terminal racemes or spikes, Pkt. Sc, 2 for 15c; Oz. 20c; 2 Oz. 35c; 



Va Lb. 60c; Lb. $2.00 

 BORAGE (Borago officinalis) A hardy annual used as a pot herb 



and for bee pasturage. The bruised leaves immersed in water 



give it an agreeable flavor and are sometimes used in salads to 



give a cucumber-like taste. Plant of coarse growth, hairy, with 



large oval leaves: flowers blue or purplish in racemes. Pkt. 8c, 



2 for 15c; Oz. 1 5c; 2 Oz. 25c; % Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 



CARAWAY carui) A well known herb, cultivated for 



its seeds, which are used in confectionery, cakes, etc. The leaves 

 are sometimes use 1 in s >ups, for flavoring liquors and for colic in 

 children. Plant one and one-half to two feet high, with finely 

 cut foliage and clusters of small, white flowers. Plants never 

 seed till the second-year. Pkt. 8c, 2 for 15c; Oz. 20c, 



CORIANDER {Coriandrum sativum) A hardy annual cultivated 



for its seed wdiich has an agreeable taste aiid is used in con- 

 fectionery and to disguise the taste of medicine. Gather on a 



dry day. bruising the stems and leaves as little as possible, for 



when injured they have a disagreeable odor which they im- 

 part to the seed. Plant slender, two to two and one-half feet 



high, strong smelling, with smooth, finely cut foliage and small 



white flowers. Pkt. 8c, 2 for 15c; Oz. 20c. 

 DILL (Anethum graveolens) An annual of aromatic odor and 



warm pungent taste. Its seeds are used for seasoning. It 



possesses medicinal properties but its largest use is for 



making Dill pickles. Plant branching, two to three feet high: 



leaves very much cut into thread-like segments. Pkt. 8c, 



2 for 15c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; Vi Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 

 DILL MAMMOTH Plant, stems and seed heals much larger 



than in the common variety.' Pkt. 8c, 2 for 15c; Oz. 20c; 



2 Oz. 35c; Va Lb. 60c; Lb. $2.00 



FENNEL, SWEET (Fceniculum officinale) A hardy perennial. 



The seeds of this aromatic herb have a pleasant taste, and are 



sometimes used in confectionery, also in various medicinal 



preparations. The young shoots are sometimes eaten raw and 



are used in salads, soups'and fish sauces. Plant very branch- 

 ing, two to four feet high, with dense thread-like foliage;. 



flowers light yellow in large loose umbels. Seed oval. Pkt. 8c, 



2 for 15c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; V± Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 

 HOREHOUND (Marrubium vulgare) A perennial herb with an 



aromatic odor and a bitter, pungent taste. It is a tonic and 



enters largely into the composition of cough syrups and 



lozenges. Laxative in large doses. Will thrive in any soil but 



is stronger if grown on light, poor land. Plant spreading, one 



to two feet high: leaves ovate, roughened, covered with w-hit- 



ish down; flowers small, white, borne at axils of leaves. 



Pkt. 8c, 2 for 15c; Oz. 25c; 2 Oz. 40c; Va Lb. 75c; Lb. $2.50 

 HYSSOP {Hyssopus officinalis) A hardy perennial with an 



aromatic odor and a warm, pungent taste. It is a stimulant. 



expectorant and mild tonic. The flowering summits and 



leaves are the parts used, it does best on dry. sandy soil. 



Plant upright with narrow- glossy dark green leaves: flowers 



small, borne in w-hoiied spikes, blue, sometimes white or pink. 



Pkt. 8c, 2 for 15c; Oz = 40c; 2 Oz. 75c; Va Lb. $1.10; Lb. $4.00 

 LAVENDER (Lavendula spica) A hardy perennial, growing 



about two feet high. It is "used for the distillation of lavender 



water or dried and used to perfume linen. It should be picked 



before it becomes dry and hard, and dried quickly. The seed 



is of rather slow and uncertain germination. Plant erect, with 



slender grayish green leaves and small violet-blue flowers. 



Pkt. 8c, 2 for 15c; Oz. 35c; 2 Oz. 60c; V 4 Lb. $1.00; Lb. $3.50 



MARJORAM, SWEET (Origanum mar jorana) An aromatic 

 herb for seasoning. The young tender tops and leaves are 

 used green in summer to flavor broths, dressings, etc.. and are 

 also dried for winter use. Usually grown as an annual as it is 

 not hardy enough to endure the winter of the northern states. 

 Plant erect but branching with small oval grayish green 

 leaves and small purplish or whitish flowers. Pkt. 8c, 2 for 15c; 

 Oz. 50c; 2 Oz. 85c; Vi Lb. $1.40; Lb. $5.00 



ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) A hardy perennial, with 

 fragrant odor and a warm bitter taste. The* leaves are used 

 for flavoring meats and soups, and for medicinal drinks. Plant 

 erect, branching with small slender leaves and small light 

 blue flowers. The blossoms form the principal ingredient in 

 the distillation of toilet waters. Plants do not reach a size 

 suitable for use until the second season. (Can not supply) 



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

 unpleasant smell. The leaves are bitter and so acrid as to 

 blister the skin. It is a stimulant and antispasmodic but 

 must be used with great caution, as its use sometimes results 

 in serious injury. It must not be suffered to run to seed and 

 does best on poor soil. Plant one and one-half to two feet high, 

 becoming woody at the base: leaves much divided: flowers 

 yellow. Can not supply) 



SAFFRON (Carthamus tinctorius)A hardy annual. Cultivated 

 for its flowers which are used principally for coloring, some- 

 times for flavoring and to make the cosmetic powder called 

 rouge. The flowers should be picked while in fuU bloom. 

 Plant upright in growth, one to three feet high; leaves ovate, 

 prickly; flower-heads yellow, thistledike. (Can not supply) 



SAGE (Salvia officinalis) One of the most extensively used 

 herbs for seasoning. It is also believed to possess medicinal 

 properties. Hardy perennial, about fifteen to eighteen inches 

 high. Plant very branching: flowers usually blue, sometimes 

 pink or white: leaves grayish green, oval, wrinkled. Cut the 

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

 and dry quickly 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. 8c, 2 for 15c; Oz. 50c. 



SAVORY, SUMMER (Satureia liortensis) A hardy aromatic 



annual twelve to fifteen inches high, the dried stems, leaves 

 and flowers of winch are extensively used for seasoning, es- 

 pecially in dressings and soups. Plant erect, branching: leaves 

 small, narrow; flowers srnall. purple, pink or white, borne in 

 short spikes. (Crop failed,) 

 THYME {Thymus vulgaris) An aromatic perennial herb, eight 

 to ten inches high, used principally for seasoning. Plant very 

 branching with wiry foliage and small lilac flowers. Sometimes 

 the leaves are used'to make a tea for the purpose of relieving 

 nervous headache. Sow as earlv as the ground will permit. 

 Pkt. 8c, 2 for 15c; Oz. 50c; 2 Oz. 85c; l A Lb. $1.40; Lb. $5.00 



WORMWOOD (Artemisia absinthium) A perennial plant of 

 fragrant and spicy odor, but with intensely bitter taste. The 

 leaves are used as a tonic, vermifuge and as a dressing for 

 fresh bruises. Plant erect, two to three feet high, with much 

 divided leaves and loose clusters of small light yellow flowers. 

 It may be raised from seed, propagating by cuttings or divid- 

 ing the roots. A dry. poor soil is best adapted to bring out the 

 peculiar virtues of this plant. (Can not supply) 



