WAKE ROBIN FARM 
in a group at the top of smooth, hollow stems. A real 
marsh or pool plant, which grows in sunlight if it 
must, and in any moist ground. Blooms May to Au- 
gust, and enjoys the company of Hellebore, Iris, Dog’s 
Tooth Violet and Sweet White Violet. The Latin 
name means “little frog of the north.” Pliny warned 
that eating it may cause you to laugh yourself silly, 
but he kindly suggested an antidote for such frivolity, 
of pepper and pineapple kernels dissolved in date wine. 
30c each; $3.00 for 12. 
Butterflyweed; Pleurisy Root (Tuberosa asclepias). Gor- 
geous, flaming orange flowers, this migrant from Hol- 
land is the handsomest of the Milkweed family. Grows 
1 to 2 feet high, and best where it has plenty of room 
and sunlight. Indifferent to soil, easily established, 
grows in dry, poor ground. Self-seeding, and the fleshy 
brittle root can be propagated by division. 30c each; 
$3.00 for 12. 
Calamus; Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus). Sword-like leaves 
of this bog plant are atmospheric. The flowering spike 
is hobnailed with tiny blossoms in June and July. Well 
known to many a boy is the pungent, pleasant flavor. 
The root is medicinal, dried or candied, and rated of 
old as a tonic for feeble digestion and dyspepsia. Used 
as part of incense by Egyptians, long before King 
Tutankhamen, and by the peoples of Israel, Babylon, 
and Greece. Sold in the markets of Tyre (Ezekiel); 
Solomon sang of “spikenard and saffron, calamus and 
cinnamon;” and Moses prepared “holy ointment of 
pure myrrh, sweet cinnamon, cassia, olive oil and sweet 
calamus.” It grows here 1 to 3 feet high; its light shiny 
green sets off the edges of brooks and pools, and will 
camouflage the ugliest domestic ditch. 30c each; $3.00 
for 12. 

