I). M. FEU 11Y <C CO’S BESClilFTIVE CATALOGUE. (51 
General Cultural Directions.— -Most of the vari¬ 
eties 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, taking 
pains that the soil is fine and pressed firmly over the 
seed, 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 thoroughly dried in the shade. 
Anis z (Pimpinella A nisum). Fr., A nis. Ger., A nis. 
—A well known annual herb whose seeds, which have an 
agreeable aromatic odor and taste, are used for dyspepsia 
and colic and as a corrective of griping and unpleasant 
medicines. Sow early and thin to three inches apart in 
the row. 
Balm ( Melissa officinalis). Fr., Melisse. Ger., 
Melisse. —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 mak¬ 
ing balm tea for use in fevers, and a pleasant beverage 
called balm wine. Plant early and thin to ten inches 
apart. 
Bene (Sesamuni Indicum). Fr., Bene. Ger., Bene. 
—Much used in the South, but too tender for 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., BourracJte. 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 ( Carum carui). Fr., Carvi. Ger., Kilm- 
mel. Cultivated for its seeds, which are used in con¬ 
fectionery, 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 two 
or three feet apart, and thin to six inches apart in the 
row. 
Catnip (Nepeta cataria). Fr., Ncpeta. Ger., Kai¬ 
zen kraut. —A hardy perennial, well known as a valu¬ 
able 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 either in the fall or 
early spring, in drills twenty inches apart. 
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 tr> disguise the taste of medicines. 
Sow early in the spring, and gather on a dry day, bruis¬ 
ing the stems and leaves as little as possible, as when 
injured they have a disagreeable odor, which they 
impart to the seed. 
Dandelion (Taraxacum dens-leonis). Fr., Pis- 
senlit. Ger., Loivenzahn. Improved Thick Leaved. 
—Those who only know the Dandelion as the per¬ 
sistent 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 vegetables. The improved variety 
makes one of the earliest and best greens in culti¬ 
vation. For this purpose.sow early in the spring, on 
very warm, rich 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 September, and cultivate well dur¬ 
ing the fall and the following season, and the roots will 
be fit to dig in October. 
Dandelion, Improved Thick Leaved. 
Dill (A nethum graveolens). Fr., A noth. Ger., Dill. 
— An annual cultivated for its seeds, which have an aro¬ 
matic odor, and a warm, pungent taste. They are good 
for flatulence and colic in infants, and are sometimes 
added to pickled cucumbers to heighten the flavor. Sow 
early in spring, and keep clear of weeds. 
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare). Fr., Marrube. 
Ger., A ndorn. —A perennial herb, with a strong, aro¬ 
matic smell, and a bitter, pungent taste. It is a tonic, 
and enters largely into the composition of cough syrups 
and lozenges. Will thrive in any soil, but is stronger if 
grown on light, poor land. 
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis). Fr., Hyssope. Ger., 
I sop. — A hardy perennial with an aromatic flavor, and 
warm, pungent taste. It is a stimulant and expectorant 
and is used in asthma and chronic catarrh. The flower¬ 
ing summits and leaves are the parts used. It likes a 
dry, sandy soil, and the plants should be thinned to 
twelve inches apart. 
Lavender (Lavendula vc'-a). Fr., Lavende. Ger., 
Lavendel. — A hardy perennial, growing about two feet 
high. Its long spikes are used for the distillation of 
lavender water, or are dried and used to perfume linen. 
It does best in light, warm soil. The flowers should be 
picked before fading, and dried quickly. 
