NAT. ORDER. PAPAVERACEjE. 
53 
planting its seeds, and once or twice weeding. The seeds should 
be planted early in the spring, about one foot from each other, and 
in rows from three to four feet apart : in this manner the largest 
number of petals or flowers can be obtained, which are the only 
parts valued for medicinal purposes, and usually command a high 
price at the shops. The cultivation of this plant would richly repay 
for its labor. It produces its flowers in July and August, in great 
profusion, 
Medical Properties and Uses. The flowers of the Athece rosea 
possess astringent and expectorant properties. A tea made, and 
drank freely, has been found highly useful in the treatment of leu- 
eorrhcea and other female weaknesses ; but the most important pur- 
pose for which the flowers are in demand at the present time, is in 
the preparation of an article called the Conserve of Hollyhoke, or, by 
some, the Bread of Life. This conserve is prepared by taking one 
ounce of the petals of Athese rosea, three ounces of Ulmus fulva, 
one-fourth of an ounce of Capsicum, and one pound of white 
Havana sugar, all finely pulverized and well mixed together ; after 
which add sufficient alcohol to make it into the consistency of a 
fresh loaf of bread, and lay it away to dry, when it will be ready 
for use. This conserve, eaten several times a day, in quantities from 
ten to twenty grains each, I have found to be invaluable in bron- 
chitis, sore or ulcerated throat, foul stomach, colds, coughs, and in 
restoring the tone of the digestive organs to a proper action ; and 
would therefore recommend it as being worthy of the consideration 
of the profession. 
