Farm and home cook book and housekeeper's assistant

A perennial, strongest when grown on light, poor soil. A decoction of stems, leaves and blossoms is employed largely in homemade cough syrups and lozenges. It is valuable also as a tonic, and in the treatment of pulmonary complaints. Cut for curing when in bloom. Lavender A hardy perennial, cultivated for the delightful odor it imparts to clothes drawers and linen closets. Cut when in blossom and dry quickly. Sweet Marjoram A perennial in warm climates, but an annual in the northern states. A favorite pot herb, cultivated for the leaves and tender tops, which are equally good either green or dried, for seasoning purposes. The variety known as pot. marjoram differs from the sweet marjoram only in being a hardy perennial, rather less fragrant. It is used for the same purposes. Peppermint A hardy perennial, cultivated for its stems, leaves and blossoms and cut for curing when in flower. The hot infusion may be drank freely, and acts as a powerful stimulant. It is unexcelled for relieving flatulent colic in infants, intestinal pain, or the griping caused by cathartics. It may be administered freely in the treatment of nervous hysteria and spasms. The leaves and blossoms are used in flavoring cordials and cool drinks, and in disguising the taste of medicine. Spearmint This is a closely related perennial that may be used medicinally for the same purposes as peppermint, but is much inferior. It is in demand for making mint sauce (for lamb), and may be propagated from seed or roots. Rosemary A hardy perennial, cultivated for the leaves and tender tops. The leaves are sometimes used in seasoning, and an infusion of the tops only is efficacious in the treatment of nervous headache and chlorosis. The dried plant loses its strength rapidly with age. Rue A hardy perennial, that does best on poor soil. It must not be allowed to go to seed. An infusion of the leaves is a powerful tonic, stimulant and anti-spasmodic, useful in nervous complaints, but not to be recommended for use by the inexperienced, as serious results follow its too liberal use. •The leaves are so acrid as to blister the skin. SAFFRON, SAGE AND SORREL Saffron A hardy annual, cultivated for its flowers, which are used fresh or dried in coloring soups, cakes, confectionery, icings, etc. Also used for dying cloth and Easter eggs. An infusion of the flowers is given to induce sweating. Also sometimes used to whiten the skin of infants. Sage A hardy perennial, more extensively used in seasoning than any other herb. May be grown from seeds or from division of the roots, the best plants resulting f^om the latter method. Pick the leaves and tender shoots for curing just as the plants are coming into flower. Does best on a very rich soil, with frequent cultivation. Indispensable for flavoring dressings, sausage and for seasoning in general. Sage tea is an excellent domestic remedy for worms, and is best made with an equal quantity of senna leaves, the senna acting as a cathartic to expel the dead worms. Use 1 tablesp of each to 1 cup of water, and drink freely, until it acts as a cathartic. The hot infusion may be taken freely to induce perspiration. Sorrel