4 8 
D. M. FERRY & CO’S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 
AROMATIC, MEDICINAL 
- AND— 
POTJPS. 
General Cttltural Directions. -most ot tne varieties 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 drillssixteen 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 seeds 
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. 
ANISE ( Fimpinella an is urn). French, -In as. German, 
Anis.—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 medi¬ 
cines. Sow early and thin to three inches apart in the row. 
15 A DAI ( (Melissa officinalis). French, Melissa. German, 
Melisse . — A perennial nerb,easily propagated by division of the 
root or from seed. The leaves have a fragrant 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. 
BORAGE (Boraao officinalis). French, Bourrache. Ger¬ 
man, Borrotsch.-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. 
CARAWAY (Carum carui). French, Carvi. German, 
Kummel.— Cultivated for its seeds, which are used in confec¬ 
tionery, cakes, etc., and the leaves are sometimes used in 
souds. If sown in August the plants will give a fair crop of 
seen the next season. Plant in drills two or three feet apart, 
and thin to six inches apart in the row. 
CAT-MINT, OK CATNIP (Nepeta cataria ). French, Nep- 
■eta. German. 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 either in the fall or early 
spring, in drills twenty inches apart. 
CORIANDER (Coriandruin sativum). French, Corian- 
■dre. German, Koriander .—A hardy annual, cultivated for 
its seeds, which have an agreeable taste, and are used in con¬ 
fectionery, and to disguise the taste of medicines. 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 dis¬ 
agreeable odor, which they impart to tne seed. 
DANDELION' (Taraxacum officinale). French, Pissen- 
lit. German, Lowenzahn Improved Thick 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 vegetables. The improved variety makes 
■one of the earliest ana 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 purpose 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). French, Aneth. German, 
Dill .—An annual cultivated for its seeds, which have an aro¬ 
matic odor, ami 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 (Marmbium vulgarc). French, Marrube. 
German, 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 (IJyssopus officinalis). French, Hyssope. Ger 
man, Isop.—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 flowering sum 
mits and leaves are the parts used. It likes a dry, sandy soil, 
and the plants should be thinned to twelve inches apart. 
LAVENDER. (Lavendula vera). French, Lavende. 
German, 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. 
ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis). French, Romar- 
in. German, Rosmarin. A hardy perennial with fragrant 
odor, and a warm, aromatic, bitter taste. May be easily raised 
from seed, but does not reach a size fit for use until the sec¬ 
ond season. The dried leaves deteriorate rapidly by keeping. 
RUE (Ruta graveolens). French, Rue. German, Raute.— 
A hardy perennial with a peculiar smell. The leaves are 
bitter, and so acrid as to blister the skin. It is a stimulant 
and anti spasmodic, but must be used with great caution, as 
its use sometimes results in serious injury. It must not be 
suffered to run to seed, aud does best on poor soil. 
SAFFRON (Carthamus tinctorius). French, Safran. 
German, Saffron. -A hardy annual from Egypt, but which 
has become naturalized in many parts of the country. Cul¬ 
tivated for its flowers, which are used in dyeing, and to make 
the cosmetic powder called rouge , also to adulterate the valu¬ 
able European Saffron, which is the flower of the Crocus 
sativus , and has strong medicinal properties. Sow early and 
gather the leaves before fading, drying them in the shade. 
SAGE (Salvia officinalis ). French, Sauge. German, Sal 
bei.—A hardy perennial, possessing some medicinal proper¬ 
ties, but cultivated principally for use as a condiment, it 
being used more extensively than any other herb for flavor¬ 
ing and dressing. Sow early in spring on very rich ground, 
cultivate often and thin the plants to sixteen inches apart. 
Cut the leaves and tender shoots just as the plant is coming 
into flower, and dry quickly in the shade. The plants will 
survive the winter, ana may be divided. If this is done they 
will give a second crop superior in quality to the first. 
SWEET 15 A SI L. (Oct mum basilicum). French, Basilic 
German, Basilikum. A hardy annual from the East Indies. 
The seeds and stems are used in flavoring soups and sauces, 
and have the flavor of cloves. 
SWEET FENNEL (Fceniculum officinale) French 
Fenouil. German, Fenchel . — A hardy perennial. The leaves 
are largely used in Europe in soups, fish sauces, garnishes 
and salads, the seed being sometimes used in confectionery. 
Sow and cultivate like Anise. 
S W EET M A R JO R A M ( Origanum marjoran a). French, 
Marjolaine. German, Marjoram.— A perennial plant, but 
not hardy enough to endure the winter of the North. The 
young, tender tops are used green for flavoring, or they may 
be dried for winter use. Sow in drills as early as possible, 
and thin out the plants to ten inches. 
SUMMER SAVORY (Satureia hortensis). French, Sar- 
riette annuelle. German. Bohnenkraut .—A hardy annual, 
the dried stems, leaves and flowers of which are extensively 
used for flavoring, particularly in dressings aud soups. Cul 
ture the same as that of Sweet Majoram. 
TANSY (Vanacetum vulgare.') French, Tanaisie . Ger¬ 
man, Wurmkraut .— A hardy perennial plant from Europe, 
but growing wild in many parts-of the country. The leaves, 
when green, have a peculiar, aromatic odor, which they lose 
in drying. Cultivated for its medicinal properties, which are 
those common to bitter herbs. 
THYME (Thymus vidgaris) French, Thym. German, 
Tliymian— This herb is perennial, and is both a medicinal 
and culinary plant. The young leaves and tons are used for 
soups, dressing and sauce, and a tea is made of the leaves 
which is a great remedy in nervous headache. Sow as early 
as the ground will permit. 
WORMWOOD (Artemisia absinthium'). French, Ab¬ 
sinthe. German, Wermuth.—A perennial plant of strong and 
fragrant odor, and aromatic, but intensely bitter taste. The 
leaves are used as a tonic and vermifuge, and also for fresh 
bruises. Is raised from seed and propagated by cuttings, 
or dividing the roots. A dry, poor soil is best adapted to 
bring out the peculiar virtues of this plant. 
