68 
D. M. FERRY & GO’S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 
AROMATIC, MEDICINAL AND POT HERBS 
Most of the varieties of herbs thrive best on sandy soil and some are stronger and better flavored when grown on that which 
is rather poor. In all cases the soil should be carefully prepared and well cultivated, as the young plants are for the most part 
delicate and easily choked out by weeds. ^ ... , , , . . _ .. . . 
S->w as early as the ground can be made ready, in drills sixteen to eighteen inches apart, taking pains that the soil is fine ana 
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 it 
June. Most of them should be cut when in bloom, wilted in the sun and thoroughly dried in the shade. 
ANISE ( Pimpinella anisum) An annual herb cultivated principally for its seeds which have a fragrant, agreeable smell and a I 
pleasant taste; used medicinally for aromatic cordials, colic and nausea. The leaves are sometimes used for garnishing and! 
flavoring. Plant of slender upright growth with deeply cut foliage: flowers small, yellowish white, borne in large loose Dm. B 
bels. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 20c; 2 Oz. 35c; *4 Lb. 60c; Lb. $2.00 
BALM (Melirisa, officinalis) A perennial herb, easily 
propagated by division of the root or from seed. 'Hie 
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 one to 
two feet high, hairy, loosely branched with ovate 
leaves; flowers white or pale yellow in loose axillary 
clusters. (Crop failed) 
BASIL, SWEET ( Ocimum basilicum ) A hardy, aromatic 
annual. The seeds and stems have a strong flavor and 
are used in soups and sauces. Plant about eighteen 
inches high, branching, with ovate toothed leaves: 
Mowers white or bluish white in leafy terminal racemes 
or spikes. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 20c; 2 Oz. 35c; l A Lb. 60c; 
Lb. $2.00 
BORAGE (Borago officinalis ) A hardy annual used as 
a pot herb and for bee pasturage. The bruised leaves 
immersed in water give it an agreeable flavor and are 
sometimes used in salads to give a cucumber-like 
taste. Plant of coarse growth, hairy, with large oval 
leaves; flowers blue or purplish in racemes. Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 25c; 2 Oz 40c; *4 Lb. 75c; Lb. $2.50 
CARAWAY ( Caru,m carui) A well known herb, culti¬ 
vated for its seeds, which are used in confectionery, 
cakes, etc. The leaves are sometimes used in soups, 
for flavoring liquors and for colic in children. Plant 
one and one-half to two feet high, with finely cut 
foliage and clusters of small, white flowers. Plants 
never seed till the second year. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 
2 Oz. 25c; Va Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 
CORIANDER ( Coriandrum sativum ) A hardy annual 
cultivated for its seed which has an agreeable taste 
and is used in confectionery and to disguise the taste 
of medicine. Gather on a dry day, bruising the stems and leaves 
Sage 
as little as possible, for when injured they have a disagreeable 
odor which they impart to the seed. Plant slender, two to 
two and one-half feet high, strong smelling, with smooth, fine¬ 
ly cut foliage ami small white flowers. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 
2 Oz. 20c; <4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
DILL (Anethuin tjraveolens) An annual of aromatic odor and 
warm pungent taste, its seeds are used for seasoning. It 
possesses medicinal properties but its largest use is for 
making Dill pickles. Plant branching, two to three feet high; 
leaves very much cut into thread-like segments. Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; Vi Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
DILL MAMMOTH Plant, steins and seed heads much larger 
than in the common variety. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; 
Vi Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.25 
FENNEL, SWEET (Fceniculum officinale) A hardy perennial. 
The seeds of this aromatic herb nave a pleasant taste,and are 
sometimes used in confectionery, also in various medicinal 
preparations. The young shoots are sometimes eaten raw and 
are used in salads, soups and fish sauces. Plant very branch¬ 
ing, two to four feet high, with dense thread-like foliage; 
11 overs light yellow in large loose umbels. Seed oval. Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 15c; 2 Oz. 25c; Va Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 
HOREHOUND ( Marrubium vulgare) A perennial herb with an 
aromatic odor and a bitter, pungent taste. It is a tonic and 
enters largely into the composition of cough syrups and 
lozenges. Laxative in large doses. Will thrive in any soil but 
is stronger if grown on light, poor land. Plant spreading, one 
to two feet high; leaves ovate, roughened, covered with whit¬ 
ish down; flowers small, white, borne at axils of leaves. 
Pkt. 5c; Oz. 30c; 2 Oz. 55c; Va Lb. 90c; Lb. $3.00 
HYSSOP (Hyssopus officinalis) A hardy perennial with an 
aromatic odor and a warm, pungent taste. It is a stimulant, 
expectorant and mild tonic. The flowering summits and 
leaves are the parts used. It does best on dry, sandy soil. 
Plant upright with narrow glossy dark green leaves; flowers 
small, borne in whorled spikes, blue, sometimes white or pink. 
Pkt. 5c; Oz. 30c; 2 Oz. 55c; Vi Lb. 90c; Lb. $3.00 
ROSEMARY ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) A hardy perennial, with 
fragrant odor and a warm bitter taste. The leaves are used 
for flavoring meats and soups, and for medicinal drinks. Plant 
erect, branching with small slender leaves and small light 
blue flowers. The blossoms form the principal ingredient in 
the distillation of toilet waters. Plants do not reach a size 
suitable for use until the second season. (Crop failed) 
RUE ( Rutagraveolens) A hardy perennial with a peculiar, 
unpleasant smell. The leaves are bitter and so acrid as to 
blister the skin. It is a stimulant and antispasmodic but 
must be used with great caution, as its use sometimes results 
in serious injury. It must not be suffered to run to seed and 
does best on poor soil. Plant one and one-half to two feet high, 
becoming woody at the base; leaves much divided; flowers 
yellow. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 50c. 
SAFFRON 
Carthamus tinctorius) A hardy annual. Cultivated 
for its flowers which are used principally for coloring, some¬ 
times for flavoring and to make the cosmetic powder called 
rouge. The flowers should be picked while in full bloom 
Plant upright in growth, one to three feet high; leaves ovate, 
prickly; flower-heads yellow, thistle like. Pkt.5c. (Packets only) 
SAGE ( Salvia officinalis ) One of the most extensively used 
herbs for seasoning. It is also believed to possess medicinal 
properties. Hardy perennial, about fifteen to eighteen inches 
high. Plant very branching; flowers usually blue, sometimes 
pink or white; leaves grayish green, oval, wrinkled. 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 and may be divided. If this is done they will give a 
second crop superior in quality. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 35c; 2 Oz. 60c; 
Va Lb. $1.00; Lb. $3.50 
SAVORY, SUMMER (Satureia hortensis) A hardy aromatic 
annual twelve to fifteen inches high, the dried stems, leaves 
and flowers of which are extensively used for seasoning es¬ 
pecially in dressings and soups. Plant erect, branching; leaves 
small, narrow; Mowers small, purple, pink or white, borne in 
short spikes. Pkt.5c; Oz. 30c; 2 Oz. 55c; Va Lb. 90c; Lb. $3.00 
LAVENDER (Lavendula spica) A hardy perennial, growing 
about two feet high. It is used for the distillation of lavender 
water or dried and used to perfume linen. It should be picked 
before it becomes dry and hard, and dried quickly. The seed 
is of rather slow and uncertain germination. Plant erect, with 
slender grayish green leaves and small violet-blue flowers. 
Pkt. 5c; Oz. 35c; 2 Oz. 60c; Va Lb. $1.00; Lb. $3.50 
MARJORAM, SWEET (Origanum marjorana) An aromatic 
herb for seasoning. The young tender tops and leaves are 
used green in summer to flavor broths, dressings.etc., and are 
also dried for winter use. Usually grown as an annual as it is 
not hardy enough to endure the winter of the northern states. 
Plant erect but branching with small oval grayish green 
leaves and small purplish or whitish flowers. Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 60c; 2 Oz. $1.00; Va Lb. $1.75; Lb. $6.00 
THYME ( Thymus vulgaris) An aromatic perennial herb, eight 
to ten inches high, used principally for seasoning. Plant very 
branching with wiry foliage and small lilac flowers. Sometimes 
the leaves are used to make a tea for the purpose of relieving 
nervous headache Sow as early as the ground will permit. 
Pkt. 5c; Oz. 75c; 2 Oz. $1.25; Va Lb. $2.00; Lb. $7.00 
WORMWOOD 
(Artemisia absin thium) 
perennial plant of 
Va Lb. $1.00; Lb. $3.50 
