and several countries of Europe,
particularly France, Spain, and Germany; in the latter of which, the
first gathering of flowers is obtained in the beginning of September;
and others, for six or eight weeks following, as the flowers expand. It
flowers somewhat earlier in this country, and seems well adapted to our
climate.

"Though the color of the petals is of a deep-orange, they are used for
dying various shades of red; the yellow matter being easily separated
from the other. The flowers of Saffron are employed in Spain and other
countries for coloring dishes and confectioneries; and from the seed a
fixed oil is obtained, somewhat similar to that of the Sunflower: for
which purpose alone, it does not, however, seem deserving of
cultivation."

It was formerly much used in medicine in cases of humors and diseased
blood.

* * * * *

SOUTHERNWOOD.

Artemesia abrotanum.

A hardy, shrubby plant, about three feet high. The leaves are
pale-green, and cut, or divided, into narrow, thread-like segments; the
flowers are numerous, small, yellow, drooping; the seeds resemble those
of the Common Wormwood, and retain their germinative properties two
years.

The plant is generally propagated by dividing the roots in the manner of
other hardy shrubs.

_Use._--The leaves have a strong, resinous, somewhat aromatic and rather
pleasant odor, and are quite bitter to the taste. The root is seldom
used; but the leaves and young branches are employed in the same manner
and for the same purposes as those of the Common Wormwood.

* * * * *

WORMWOOD.

Artemesia.

The cultivated species are as follow:--

COMMON WORMWOOD.

Artemesia absynthium.

This species, everywhere common to gardens in this country, is a native
of Great Britain. It is a hardy, perennial, shrubby plant, two or three
feet in height. The leaves are deeply cut, or divided, pale-green above,
and hoary beneath; the flowers are small, numerous, pale-yellow; the
seeds are quite small, and retain their powers of germination two
years.

The leaves, when bruised, have a strong, somewhat pungent, yet aromatic
odor, and are proverbial for their intense bitterness.

ROMAN WORMWOOD.

Artemesia pontica.

This species somewhat resembles the foregoing: but the roots are
smaller, less woody, and more fibrous, and the stalks are shorter, and
more slender; the leaves are smaller, more finely cut, or d