RUE—Herb-of-grace, Ruta graveolens. Family: Rutaceae. 
Usxs: An old medicinal herb considered to be very antiseptic. Bunches 
of Rue were hung on the benches of the docks to protect the court 
from the pestilence of the goals. ' 
DgscrirTION: Blue-green, round lobed, segmented leaves which are 
almost evergreen on this hardy perennial. The corymbs of greenish- 
yellow blossoms provide for the continuation of the species in a curious 
way. The wide-spread stamens alternately bend over the pistil which 
rises from an enlarged green ovary in the center to dust their pollen 
on the stigma in case no insect is attracted by the curious acrid odor. 
CULTIVATION: Rue is a classic herb which enhances any garden with 
its lovely, thrifty, silvery blue foliage. It is easily grown from seed 
sown in the garden or seed bed and transplanted to allow twelve inches 
between mature plants. 
Rue .25 packet 
SAFFRON—False Saffron, Safflower, Carthamus tinctorius. Family: 
Com positae. 
Users: Yellow petals dried for coloring and flavoring rice. 
DescripTION: Tall annual to three feet with spiny leaves and thistle- 
like yellow blossoms. Curious white fruits look like teeth. 
CULTIVATION: Sow seed in full sun where plants are to remain. Thin 
but do not transplant to stand ten inches asunder. The dried petals of 
this plant are widely used as a substitute for real Saffron which is the 
dried stigmas and styles of the autumn-flowering bulb, Crocus sativus. 
Saffron 15 packet 
SAGE—Salvia officinalis. Family: Labiatae. 
Uses: A culinary herb which used to be highly re- 
garded as a cure for colds, rheumatism and fevers. 
Its constant use was supposed to insure longevity. 
Babies were adorned with necklaces of twelve Sage 
leaves strung alternately with tags bearing the names 
of the twelve apostles which guarded against any 
discomfort while teething. Sage tea, a delicious am- 
ber brew, is preferred by the Chinese to their native 
, product. 
‘DescrirTIon: The grey pebbled leaves of hardy per- 
ennial Sage linger on the two foot tall stems all 

