Burnet (Poterium Sanguisorba)

This is a hardy perennial, increased by division of the root any time between March and May. The slips or sets should be inserted in any ordinary soil, in rows one foot apart, and a similar distance from each other in the rows. The leaves, which are very delicate, are chiefly used for putting into salads, but occasionally they are introduced into soups.

Carraway (Carurn Carvi)

This (a biennial) is raised from seed, which should be sown in the autumn, soon after it is ripe, in ordinary soil, either broadcast or in drills. The plants quickly make their appearance, when they should be thinned out to a foot apart in every direction, if broadcast, if in drills the same distance asunder in the rows. Where the sowing was neglected in the autumn, it may bo done in March or April, but in that case the seed seldom ripens the same year; anyhow, as soon as it does ripen it should be gathered, dried, and put by for use. The seed of this plant is the part chiefly used in confectionary, in medicine, and for distillation. In spring the under leaves are sometimes put in soup.

Chervil, Curled (Charophyllum Sativum)

This is an annual, the tender leaves of which are used in soups and salads; they being very ornamental arc occasionally used for garnishing purposes. To ensure a succession throughout the summer seed should be sown in February to commence with, and every three weeks afterwards up to the end of August. The necessity for sowing so frequently is that the plants soon run up to seed, and when this is the case they become useless. The seed should be sown in shallow drills nine or ten inches apart, in ordinary soil, covered lightly with the rake, and watered slightly from time to time as required. The leaves will be fit for gathering when the plants have grown to four or five inches in height. If cut close to the ground they will shoot out again, and may be gathered in succession.

Clary (Salvia Horminum)

This is a biennial plant, the leaves of which are occasionally used as a substitute for sage, but most frequently in medicine. It is sometimes propagated by cuttings and slips, but chiefly by seed. Seed may be sown broadcast any time from the middle of March to the end of April in a bed or border of moderately rich soil, and raked in evenly. As soon as the plants are two or three inches high, a portion of the strongest may be transplanted, from twelve to eighteen inches apart every way, to allow sufficient room for the plants and leaves to spread into full growth, when they will be fit for use the same year, and continue in perfection through the winter until the following spring and summer. Cuttings or slips may be struck in July, under a hand-glass, on a warm border.

Coriander (Coriandrum Sativum)

This is cultivated chiefly for its under leaves, which are used in soups, salads, and for garnishing; also for its seeds, which distillers, druggists, and confectioners employ in various ways. Although a hardy annual, a nice sandy loam seems to suit it best. Seed may be sown in February when the weather is open and dry, in drills nine inches apart, and as soon as the plants are large enough to handle they must be thinned out to the same distance asunder in the rows, for the reason that they do not bear transplanting. A little seed may also be sown in a frame during August and September, for protecting through the winter.

Dill (Anethum Graveolens)

A hardy biennial plant of aromatic properties, the leaves of which are occasionally used in soups, sauces, and pickles, and for medicinal purposes. It is raised from seed sown in March, April, or May, in an open spot of moderately rich ground; either in drills a foot asunder, or broadcast, and raked in evenly. As soon as the plants are well up they must be thinned out to eight or ten inches apart in the rows, if in drills; or from each other, in every direction, if broadcast; for as they do not like transplanting, it is necessary to let them remain where sown. If the seed be sown in the autumn as soon as ripe, it will come all the stronger next spring.

Fennel (Anethum Fceniculum)

A perennial plant, the leaves of which, boiled, are used in many fish sauces ; and in a raw state as a garnish for several dishes. It is raised both from seed and offsets from the root of the old plant. The former method is best, as this plant (on account of its tap root, which, if broken, never grows strong afterwards) does not bear removal well. The seed should be sown from March to May, on moderately rich soil, in drills from fifteen to eighteen inches asunder, and as soon as the plants are an inch or two in height they should be thinned out to twelve or fifteen inches apart in the rows. This plant ought never to be allowed to seed ; on the contrary, it should be cut down annually, when it will send up a succession of delicate young leaves for present and future supply.