D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 
61 
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. 
Sow as early as the ground can l>e 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 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. 
Pkt. 5c: Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; V 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
BALM ( Melissa officinalis) 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 making balm 
tea for use in fevers anil a pleasant beverage called 
balm wine. Plant one to two feet high, hairy, loosely 
branched with ovate leaves; flowers white or pale 
vellow in loose axillary clusters. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 30c; 
2 Oz. 55c; Va Lb. 90c; Lb. $3.00 
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; 
flowers white or bluish white in leafy terminal ra¬ 
cemes or spikes. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 20c; 2 Oz. 35c; V 4 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, liairy, with large oval 
leaves; flowers blue or purplish in racemes. Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; l / 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
CARAWAY ( Carum carui) A well known herb, 
cultivated for its seeds, which are used in confec¬ 
tionery, 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. 10c; 
2 Oz. 15c; Vi Lb. 20c; Lb. 65c. 
CARAWAY, for Flavoring. Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; 
1/4 Lb. 20c; Lb. 50c. 
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 as little as possible, for when injured they have a dis¬ 
agreeable odor which they impart to the seed. Plant slender, 
two to two and one-half feet high, strong smelling, with 
smooth, finely cut foliage and small white flowers. Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; V 4 Lb. 20c; Lb. 65c. 
CORIANDER, for Flavoring. Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; V 4 Lb. 20c; 
Lb. 50c. 
DILL ( Anethum graveolens) 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; flowers small, 
yellowish, borne in umbels. Seed flat. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 
2 Oz. 15c; V 4 Lb. 25c; Lb. 90c. 
FENNEL, SWEET ( Fo&niculum officinale ) A hardy perennial. 
The seeds of this aromatic herb liave a pleasant taste, and are 
sometimes used in confectionery, also in various medicinal 
preparat ions. 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; 
flowers light yellow in large loose umbels. Seed oval. Pkt. 5c; 
Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 20c; V 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
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. 20c; 2 Oz. 35c; V 4 Lb. 60c; Lb. $2.00 
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. 20c; 2 Oz. 35c; l / 4 Lb. 60c; Lb. $2.00 
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. 20c; 2 Oz. 35c; V 4 Lb. 60c; Lb. $1.75 
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. 15c; 
2 Oz. 25c; V 4 Lb. 40c; Lb. $1.50 
Sage 
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. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 30c* 
2 Oz. 55c; y 4 Lb. 90c; Lb. $3.00 
RUE (Rut a graveolens) 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 hot 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. 30c; 2 Oz. 55c; l / 4 90c; Lb. $3.00 
SAFFRON (Cartnamus tinctorius) A hardy annual. (Cultivated 
for its flowers which are used principally for coloring, some¬ 
times for flavoring and to make the cosmetic powder (railed 
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; Oz. 10c- 
2 Oz. 20c; y 4 Lb. 30c; Lb. $1.00 
SAGE (Salvia officinalis) One of the most extensively used 
herbs for seasoning. It is also believed to possess medicinal 
E roperties. Hardy perennial, about fifteen to eighteen inches 
ign. Plant very branching; flowers usually blue, sometimes 
pink or white; leaves grayish green, oval, wrinkled. Cut the 
_ —„ giv 
second crop superior in quality. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 20c; 2 Oz. 35c; 
Va Lb. 60c; Lb. $1.75 
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; flowers small, purple, pink or white, borne in 
short spikes. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 20c; 2 Oz. 35c; 1/4 Lb. 60c; Lb. $2.00 
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. 40c; 2 Oz. 75c; Vi Lb. $1.25; Lb. $4.00 
WORMWOOD (Artemisia absinthium) A perennial plant of 
fragrant and spicy odor, but with intensely bitter taste. The 
leaves are used as a tonic, vermifuge and* as a dressing for 
fresh bruises. Plant erect, two to three feet high, with much 
divided leaves and loose clusters of small light yellow flowers. 
It may be raised from seed, propagating by cuttings or divid¬ 
ing the roots. A dry, poor soil is best adapted to bring out the 
„ . poor 
peculiar virtues of this plant. 
Vi Lb. 75c; Lb $2.50 
Pkt. 5c; Oz. 25c; 2 Oz. 40c; 
