See Herbary.

To Dry Pot-Herbs

Though growing plants can bear an elevated temperature without injury, a very different effect is produced upon them by even a lower heat after they have been separated from their roots. This has to be borne in mind in the drying of pot-herbs, which, though it is a process very simple and very important for the winter cuisine that it should be conducted correctly, is usually more neglected and more thoughtlessly practised than any other in the varied range of the gardener's duties. To demonstrate this, will only require to have pointed out how it ought to be managed. The flavour of almost every pot-herb arises from an essential oil which it secretes, and this being in the greatest abundance just previously to the opening of its flowers, that is the time which ought to be selected for gathering. Pot-herbs ought to be dried quickly, because if left exposed to winds, much of the essential oil evaporates, and mouldiness occurring and long continuing destroys it altogether; for nearly every plant has its peculiar mucor, (mould,) the food of which is the characteristic oily secretion of the plant on which it vegetates.

A dry brisk heat is therefore desirable; and as the fruit store-room ought always to have a stove, and is untenanted when herbs require drying, no other place can be more efficiently employed for the purpose. The temperature should be 90°, for if it exceeds this, the essential oils are apt to burst the integuments of the containing vessels and to escape. Forty-eight hours, if the heat is kept up steadily, are sufficient to complete the process of drying.

The leaves, in which alone the essential oils of pot-herbs reside, should then be carefully clipped with scissors, not crushed, from the stalks, and stored in tightly corked wide-mouthed bottles. Each will thus preserve its peculiar aroma, not only through the winter, but for years, and be infinitely superior to any specimens producible in the forcing department, for these are unavoidably deficient in flavour. - Princ. of Gardening.