20 
NAT. ORDER. IRIDACE.E. 
diseases, I have found the Saffron very serviceable ; in small pox, 
scarlet, fever, measles, cankered throat, &c., the Saffron may be em- 
ployed with decided benefit ; it promotes perspiration very readily, 
and has a peculiar tendency to expel the eruption or humor to the 
surface of the body. 
The Saffron has also been considered famous for its supposed 
emmenagogue properties ; and in some instances I have reason to be- 
lieve that it has manifested such powers, but in many other instances, 
though repeatedly employed in large doses, it has entirely disappointed 
my expectations. 
Propagation and Culture. The culture in all the varieties of 
this plant is easily effected, by planting the buds of offsets taken 
from the roots ; the Crocus ofjlcinaUs should be planted in July, or 
the beginning of August; and the Crocus sativus at any time when 
the weather is open, from September to the beginning of April in 
the following year; but the earlier it is performed, the stronger they 
flower. The planting should be done by means of a dibble or trowel, 
to the depth of about two inches, the ground being previously well 
dug over, and left some time to settle. They may be set either in 
beds by themselves in rows, at the distance of eight or nine inches, 
and six or eight inches apart, or in patches of five or six roots in 
each, on the front of the clumps, borders, or other parts of gardens 
and pleasure grounds, putting them in varied positions, both in respect 
to sorts, and the order in which they are planted. 
In the culture of these plants, great injury is frequently done by 
trimming off the green leaves at the time the flowers decline, in order 
to prevent litter ; as by such means the future blow is rendered 
more weak and less beautiful. Where new varieties are wanted, 
recourse must be had to the seed, which must be sown in the spring 
season, either where the plants are to remain, in a bed of light mel- 
low earth, or in pots filled with the same. 
