44: 



D, M. Ferry & Go's Descriptive Catalogue. 



■oblong. When a large Swede of superior quality is 

 desired, we recommend tliis variety. 



D. M. Ferry & Go's Improved Purple Top Yel- 

 low Ruta Baga.— The best variety of Swedish turnip 

 in cultivation. Hardy and productive. Flesh yellow, 

 of solid texture, sweet and well flavored ; shape slightly 

 oblong, terminating abruptly with no side or bottom 

 roots ; color deep purple-above, and bright yellow under 

 the ground ; leaves small, light green, with little or no 

 neck ; the most perfect in form, the richest in flavor, 

 and the best in every respect. 



Bangholm Ruta Baga. — A very superior variety, 

 both in form and quality, and held in high estimation in 

 many parts of England. Of large size, small neck, few 

 or no side roots, and yields well. Flesh yellow, sweet 

 and solid ; skin yellow, with purple top. 



Sweet Russian, or 'White Ruta Baga. — This va- 

 riety is a most excellent kind, either for the table or 

 stock. It grows to a very large size ; flesh white, solid, 

 firm texture, sweet and rich ; keeps better than any of 

 the preceding, and is very popular. 



AROMATIC, MEDICINAL AND POT HERDS. 



General Cultural Directions.— Most of the van- 

 ties 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 ; 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 

 .then thoroughly dried in the shade. 



Borage. 



Anise, {Pinipinelln anisuin). Fr. Am's. — Ger. Anis. 

 — A well known annual herb whose seeds, which have 

 an agreeable, aromatic odor and taste, are used for dys- 



Dandelion. 



pepsia and colic and as a corrective of griping and un- 

 pleasant medicines. Sow early, and thin to three 

 inches apart in the row. 



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

 Melisse. — A perennial herb. The leaves have a fra- 

 grant 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. 



Bene, {Sesaimnn Indicuvt). Fr. Bene. — Ger. Bene, 

 Much used at the south, but too tender at 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. Boiirrach. — 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, {Caritjn carui). Fr. Carvi. — Ger. Kum- 

 mel. — Cultivated for its seeds which are used in confec- 

 tionery, 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, and thin 

 to six inches apart. 



Catnip, {Nepeta cataria). Fr. Nepeta. — Ger. 

 Katzenkraut. — A hardy perennial, well known as a 

 valuable 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 in drills twenty 

 inches apart, either in fall or spring. 



Coriander, {Coriandrutn 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 medi- 

 cines. Sow early in the spring, and gather on a dry 

 day, bruising the stems and leaves as little as possible, 

 as when injured they have a disagreeable odor which 

 they impart to the seed. 



Dandelion, {Tarajcaczim dens-leonis). Fr. Pissen- 

 lit. — Ger. LoeTvenzakit. — Improved TJiick Leaved. — 

 Those who only know the Dandelion as the persistent 

 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 veg- 

 etables. The improved variety inakes one of the 

 earliest and best greens in cultivatio7i. For this pur- 

 pose, sow early in the spring, on very warm, rick 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 Sep- 



