BALSIFY. 
m 
SAGE. 
Salvia officinalis .— Sauge : Fr.— Salbey , Ger. 
Sage is a native of the south of Europe. Its varieties are— 
The red, I The green, 
The broad-leafed, or balsamic, I The small-leafed green, or sage of virtu© 
Estimate of sorts. —“ The red is the principal sort in culinary use, having 
the most agreeable and the fullest flavor; the green is next in estimation will 
the cook ; but the small-leaved is generally preferred to those to eat as £* 
raw herb, and for decoctions; while the broad-leafed, balsamic species, is the 
most efficacious in a medical way, and is also a tea-herb. However, any of 
the sorts may be occasionally used for these alternate purposes. 
Culture. —‘ l They are all propagated alike, by seeds or suckers, and by 
portions of old roots, and grow well in any soil not positively wet. Til) 
three or four years old, they have a healthy and agreeable appearance, form¬ 
ing full and regular tufts ; but, after this period, they lose the central branches, 
and even become ragged and broken at the edges. The treatment already 
suggested for rue might be useful for sage. Under it, the roots would proba¬ 
bly renew their vigor, and throw out new and healthy shoots; but of this 
theory we have no experience.”— Armstrong. 
Use. —“ The leaves are used in stuffings and sauces, for many kinds of lus¬ 
cious and strong meats, as well as to improve the flavor of various articles of 
cookery. The decoction called sage-tea is usually made from one variety, 
the small-leaved green, or sage of virtue; but any of the others are equally 
fit for this purpose.”— Loudon . 
SALSIFY, or OYSTER PLANT. 
Tragopogon porrifolius.—SaIsifis, Fr. 
The salsify is a hardy biennial, a native of England. The root is long and 
tapering, of a fleshy white substance; the herb smooth, g \ucous, and rising 
three or four feet high. The leaves resemble those of the leek; the flowers 
are of a dull purple color, closing soon after mid-day ; the seed, as in othei 
species of goat's beard, is remarkable for having attached to it a broad fea¬ 
thery crown. 
Culture .—“ ^: resembles a small parsnep in its appearance. It is raised 
