FoodNetArchive

Farm and home cook book and housekeeper's assistant

1907

Page 213

Presented as published in 1907. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
tion of herbs of good strength, allow 1 oz of the dried herbs to each pt of water. Cover closely while boiling and admin- ister 1 to 2 tablesp as a dose to an adult. In making an infusion, which is generally meant by the term "tea," allow I oz of the dried herb to 1 qt of water, or for smaller quan- tities, 1 tablesp of the herb to I cup of water. In using green herbs, allowance must be made for the shrinkage in bulk, or the loss in weight, through drying, and a propor- tionately larger quantity of herbs to water be allowed. An infusion may be drank freely, and either a decoction or an infusion may be made more palatable by sweetening. Doses The dose for a child of twelve is usually one-half the adult dose; for a child of six, one-fourth the adult dose; for a child of one year, one-twelfth the adult dose; and at six months of age, from one-twentieth to one-thirtieth the adult dose, and proportionate amounts for intermediate ages. Anise An annual, culivated for its seeds, which are used in flavor- ing cordials, soft drinks, cakes and cookies, and also for relieving flatulent colic in infants, intestinal pain, and the griping caused by cathartics. The infusion (1 teasp seed to ^4 pt water), may be given freely. The leaves are used as a garnish. Balm A hardy perennial, cultivated for its leaves, which are used green in making balm wine, and either green or dried in making balm tea, a refreshing drink in fevers, and useful also as a tonic, having a taste and fragrance resembling lemons. May be grown from seeds, roots, or cuttings of the young shoots. Best suited by a poor but friable soil. Cut* for drying when in flower. Sweet Basil An annual, cultivated for its leaves and the tops of the shoots, which are used in seasoning soups, stews and sauces, the flavor resembling that of cloves, for which it is an inex- pensive substitute. The young leaves are sometimes used in salads in small quantities. Best suited with mellow, fertile soil a.'^d warm exposure. Plant indoors in April and trans- plant when danger of frost is over. Cut for drying when in flower. Bay Leaves The leases of the bay tree, a species of laurel, extensively- used in seasoning, may be purchased at a nominal price where not native. 310 FARM AND HOME COOK BOOK Borage A hardy annual, self-seeding. Used only in the green state. ', The flowers are aromatic, and are used in flavoring cool ] drinks and as a garnish. The leaves are used uncooked in cucumber salad, and are also cooked as spinach. The bruised 1 leaves in water make a pleasant drink. ; Caraway A perennial that runs out in about four years. Cultivated i for the seeds which are used in cakes and confectionery. The i leaves are sometimes used in flavoring soups. Sown in the ; spring, it will not seed until the following year, but if sown j early in August it will give a fair crop of seed the next season. j Catnip j A hardy perennial, deservedly popular as a domestic remedy. May be sown in fall or early spring, and should be cut when : in flower. Leaves, stems and blossoms are used in making the | infusion, which may be drank freely. The hot infusion is a | valuable aid in inducing perspiration (which leads to sleep) j in fevers; useful also in the treatment of colds; gives relief in i