16 
AMERICAN KITCHEN GARDENER. 
to the ground, lay them evenly on the beds, and burn them there. Then 
hoe the beds over, and rake them again They are then prepared for a new 
growth. 
“ Most of the English books recommend breaking up. old asparagus beds 
once in a certain number of years. Some of the Shakers’ beds have been 
cut twenty-five years, and under that course of treatment are as good as they 
ever were.” 
BALM. 
Melissa officinalis. — Baumc , Fr. 
“The balm is a hardy perennial, with square stems, which rise two feet 
high or more, furnished with large ovate leaves, growing by pairs at each 
joint. It is a native of Switzerland and the south of France, produces flow¬ 
ers of a purplish color from June to October.” There is a variety with 
hairy leaves. 
Propagation.— u It is readily propagated by parting the roots, preserving 
two or three buds to each piece, or by slips, either in autumn or spring.”— 
Loudon. 
Culture .—“ Plant the slips or sets in any bed of common earth, by dibble 
or trowel, and from eight inches to a foot apart, giving water if dry weather. 
Those of the spring planting will soon grow freely for use the same year; 
and afterwards will increase by the root into large bunches of several years’ 
continuance, furnishing annual supplies from March to September.”— Lou¬ 
don. 
Dried Balm .—“ Gather when coming into flower, and when the leaves 
are entirely free from dew or moisture; then dry rapidly in the shade, or 
better in an oven ; and when cool press the herbage into packages, and wrap 
them up in white paper till wanted for use. Keep the packages dry, and in 
a close drawer.”— Loudon. 
Use .—“ Formerly the balm was held in very high estimation: Paracelsus 
supposed it to possess virtues, by which human life could be prolonged be¬ 
yond the usual period. In modern times, however, the properties of this 
agreeable plant are better understood: it yields, by distillation, a small pro 
portion of an essential oil, of a yellowish color, and a very grateful smell. 
A few drops of this oil, diluted in a glass of simple water, or strong infusions 
o f •'■he young shoots, drank as a tea, and continued for several weeks or 
momhs, have proved of service to nervous and hypochondriacal patients, ol 
a lax and debilitated habit. Either of these liquid preparations, when 
slightly acidulated with lemon iuice, acquires a. fine reddish colour, and ma) 
