y
fragrant, having the odor of orange-blossoms; the seeds are small,
roundish, brown, or reddish-brown, and retain their vitality two
years,--fifteen thousand are contained in an ounce.

_Sowing and Cultivation._--The seed is sown thinly, in shallow drills a
foot asunder. The first sowing may be made as early in spring as the
frost will permit; afterwards, for a succession, a few seeds may be sown
at intervals of three or four weeks. In poor soil and dry seasons, the
leaves are liable to be tough and acrid: the seeds should, therefore, be
sown in rich loam, and the plants thoroughly watered in dry weather; as,
the more rapid and vigorous the growth, the more succulent and
mild-flavored will be the foliage.

_Use._--The leaves, while young and tender, are eaten as salad.

* * * * *

SAMPHIRE. _Thomp._ _Mill._

Sea-fennel. Parsley-pert. St. Peter's Herb. Crithmum maritimum.

This is a half-hardy, perennial plant, common to rocky localities on the
seacoast of Great Britain. Stalk from a foot to two feet in height,
tender and succulent; leaves half an inch long, somewhat linear,
glaucous-green, fleshy; flowers in terminal umbels,--small, white, or
yellowish-white; the seeds are oblong, yellowish, and, though somewhat
larger, resemble those of Fennel,--they retain their germinative power
but one year.

The plant blossoms in July and August, and the seeds ripen in September
and October.

_Cultivation._--"It is rather difficult to cultivate in gardens; and the
produce is never so good as that obtained from the places where it
naturally grows. It may be propagated either by dividing the plant, or
by sowing the seed in April or in autumn, soon after it is ripe. The
latter period is preferable; for, if kept till spring, the seed does not
germinate so well.

"It succeeds best in a light, sandy, or gravelly soil, kept constantly
moist, and sprinkled occasionally with a little sea-salt or barilla, or
watered with a solution of these substances, in order to supply the
plant with soda, which is a necessary element of its food. It will grow
still better if planted or sown among stones at the foot of walls, with
a south or east aspect. This, and an occasional watering, with a
solution of sea-salt, will give conditions nearly the same as those
under which the plant naturally grows. As it is rather delicate, and
liable to be injured by frost, it should be protected by dry litter or
leaves during