60 



D. M. FE RRY 



GO'S 



should be dug up by the roots when in full flower, and 

 dried in an airy situation. When wanted for use, take 

 the dried blossoms and make a weak infusion in water. 

 Sow the seed in open borders in fall or spring. 



CHAMOMILE. 



Fr. Caniomille. — Ger. Ka77iille. 

 This is a half-hardy perennial, the flowers of which 

 are held in high repute for their medicinal properties. 

 It is of easy growth, and succeeds best m light, poor 

 soils. The flowers should be gathered on on a dry day, 

 when fully expanded, spread in an airy situation for a 

 few days, and if not then thoroughly dry, stove heat 

 can be used to finish the drying. An infusion of the 

 flowers is a valuable bitter and tonic ; though very 

 strong infusions, when taken warm, will sometimes act 

 as an emetic. 



CORIANDER. 



Fr. Coriandre. — Ger. Koriander. 



An annual, and is raised mostly for its seeds, which 

 have a pleasant, aromatic taste, though the smell is 

 disagreeable. It is often used to disguise the taste of 

 medicines, but is principally emploj'ed in confectionery. 

 Sow the seeds early in spring, where they are to remain, 

 in drills ten inches apart. Do this in dry weather, and 

 thin the plants to four inches, and keep clear from 

 weeds. 



DANDELION. 



(IMPROVED CURLED.) 



Fr. Pisse7ilit. — Ger. Loeivenzahn. 

 This hardy perennial, spontaneously abundant every- 

 where, though not a native of this country, is too fa- 

 miliar to require description. 



The dandelion affords one of the earliest, as well as 

 one of the best and most healthful, of spring greens. It 

 is also blanched and used as a salad. The roots are 

 dried and extensively employed as a substitute for, or 

 mixed in various proportions with, coffee. It may be 

 grown at a trifling cost ; and a bed twelve or fourteen 

 feet square will afford a family an abundant supply. 



For greens, seed should be sown in May or June, and 

 with ordinary garden culture, the plants will be fit for 

 the table in the ensuing spring. When grown for its 

 roots, seed should be sown in October, in drills fifteen 

 inches apart. In June following, thin to two or three 

 inches. Keep the ground loose and free from weeds 



during summer, 

 and in October 

 the roots will 

 reach their full 

 size and be ready 

 for harvesting, 

 which can be 

 done with a 

 plow. 



DILL. 



Fr. Aneth. 



Ger. Dill. 

 An annual, cul- 

 tivated for its 

 se-eds, which 

 have an aromatic 

 odor, and a 

 warm, pungent, 

 and somwhat bit- 

 ter taste. Medi- 



cinally, they are good for flatulence and colic in infants. 

 The leaves are sometimes used for culinary purposes, 

 and the seeds are occasionally added to pickled cucum- 

 bers, to heighten the flavor. Sow the seeds either early 

 in spring, or soon after they are ripe, in a light soil. 

 Thin, if crowded, and keep clear from weeds. 



HOREHOUND. 



Fr. &Ia7-rtibe. — Oqi. Andorn, 

 A perennial, and has a 

 strong, aromatic smell, and a 

 bitter, pungent taste, which 

 is permanent in the mouth. 

 It is useful in asthma and 

 jaundice, and is a favorite 

 remedy in pulmonary com- 

 plaints. It enters largely into 

 the composition of cough 

 syrups and lozenges. Sow 

 the seeds in the spring, in 

 any common soil ; it scarcely 

 needs any attention ; may 

 be propagated by dividing 

 the roots. ^_ 



Horehound. 



HYSSOP. 



Fr. Hyssope. — Ger. hop. 

 Hyssop is a hardy, evergreen undershrub, of which 

 the leaves and flower stalks are the parts used medicin- 

 ally. It has an aromatic flavor, and a warm, pungent 

 taste ; is stimulant and expectorant, and employed in 



Hyssop. 



humoral asthma and chronic catarrh. It is propagated 

 by slips, or by dividing the roots in spring, or by sowing 

 the seed. It likes a dry, sandy soil, and eighteen inches 

 space should be given each plant. 



LAVENDER. 



Fr. Lavande. — Ger. Wohlriechende Spicke. 

 A hardy undershrub, cultivated for its fragrant spikes 

 of flowers, which are used for the distillation of Laven- 

 der Water. Being dried and put up in paper bags, they 

 are also used to perfume linen. It has an agreeable, 

 pungent bitterness to the taste, and its medicinal prop- 

 erties are stimulant and cordial. It is very hardy, and 

 easily cultivated. Sow the seed in drills ten inches 

 apart, and transplant into dry soil of medium richness, 

 and it will be more highly aromatic. Give each plant 



