Artemisia. These are perennial rooted bitter aromatics, and cultivated solely for medicinal purposes. Common wormwood (Artemisia absinthium); Sea-wormwood (A. mari-tima); Roman wormwood (A. Pontica); Santonicum, or Tartarian wormwood (A. Santonica).

Soil

The soil best suited to them is one that is dry, light, and poor, otherwise they grow luxuriantly, and are defective in their medicinal qualities, as well as in their power to withstand the rigour of the winter. Any situation will suit the common and sea wormwoods, that is open and unconfined, but the exotic species require to be sheltered from the severe aspects. In a severe winter, the Tartarian can only be preserved under a frame. The sea wormwood seldom flourishes, from the want of a genial soil; the application of salt would undoubtedly be beneficial.

Propagation

They are all propagated by seed, as well as slips and cuttings, the first of which may be sown in March or April; and the latter planted during June, July, and beginning of August. The seed is sown thinly broad-cast; and when the plants arrive at a height of two or three inches, are weeded and thinned to six inches asunder; and those taken away pricked at a like distance; water being given if the weather is at all dry. The slips and cuttings are planted in a shady border, about eight inches apart, and water given regularly every evening until they have taken root.

The only cultivation required is to clear away the decayed stalks in autumn, and to keep them constantly clear of weeds by frequent hoeings. To obtain seed no further care is required than to gather the stems as they ripen in autumn. The Roman seldom perfects its seed.