D. M. Ferry &. Co’s Descriptive Catalogue. 
45 
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; 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. 
Anise, (Pimpinella A nisum). Fr. A nis — Ger. A nts. 
—A well known annual herb whose seeds, which have 
an agreeable aromatic odor and taste, arc used for dys¬ 
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, (Sesamum Indicum). Yr.Bene. —Ger. Bette.— 
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, (Borage officinalis). Fr; Bourrac/i. —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, (Caruttt carui). Fr. Carvi. —Ger. Kutn- 
tnel. _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, {Coriandrum sativum). Fr. Coriatidre. 
—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, ( Taraxacum dens-leonis). Fr. Pissen - 
lit. —Ger. Lowenzahtt.—Improved Thick Leaved .— 
Those who only know the Dandelion as the persist¬ 
ent weed of our roadsides and lawns, know no more 
of its real value than one who has only seen the poi¬ 
sonous wild parsnip or carrot, knows of the value of 
these vegetables. The improved variety makes one 
of the earliest and best greens in cultivation. 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 pur¬ 
pose, sow in September, and cultivate well during the 
fall and the following season, and the roots will be fit to 
dig in October. 
Dill, ( Anethum graveolens). Fr. Aneth. —Ger. Dill. 
—An annual, cultivated for its seeds ‘which have an 
aromatic odor, and a warm, pungent taste. They are 
good for flatulence and colic in infants, and are some- 
1 times added to pickled cucumbers to heighten the flavor. 
Sow early in spring, and keep clear of weeds. 
Horehound, ( Marrubiunt vulgare'). Fr. Mar- 
rube. — Ger. Andorn. — A perennial herb, with a 
strong, aromatic 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. Isop. —A hardy perennial with an aromatic fla¬ 
vor, and warm, pungent taste. It is a stimulant 
and expectorant, and is used in asthma and chronic 
catarrh. The flowering summits and leaves are the 
parts used. It likes a dry, sandy soil, and the plants 
should be thinned to eighteen inches apart. 
Lavender, (. Lavendula vera). Fr. Lavande .— 
Ger. IVohlriechende spicke —A hardy perennial. 
Its long spikes are used for the distillation of laven¬ 
der water, or are dried and used to perfume linen. 
The flowers should be picked before fading, and 
dried quickly. 
Rosemary, {Rosemarinus officinalis). Fr. Ros- 
mar in. —Ger. Rosmarin. —A hardy perennial with 
fragrant odor, and a warm, aromatic, bitter taste. 
May be easily raised from seed, but does not reach 
Improved Thick Leaved Dandelion. 
