Evening star., 1942-06-28

when added to the rose leaves and
dried with them.
Rue, still another herb with a
Biblical background, is little known
or cultivated here in America, al
though 1t is listed as one of the ten
great herbs" by some writers on the
subject. The flavor Of it's pungent
blue-green leaves is not so pungent
as the herb itself, which is really
very bitter. The leaves and seed
pods are very decorative, and on
the continent are often dried for
winter bouquets. The Duke of Sax
only took the rue as his insignia, and
created an order, The Crown OF
Rue" which was bestowed upon the
Prince of Wales as recently as in
1902. Rue, useful as an antidote for
poison and as a disinfectant, is
called by the immortal bard, the
sour herb of grace" as it is sup
posed to be the symbol of remorse.
1t has been translated literally over
into the language as Webster de-
fines rue the verb as Ito regret, or
grieve for"
Still another old, old herb is the
basil of tropical origin. Today it is
the royal herb" in the temples of
India and still the best-loved one
in the hearts of italian cooks, for
its spicy fowerlike seasoning gives
an indefinable but delicious tang to
many italian foods. Long ago a
pot of basil in the window was a
signal to a lover. Nowadays many
a tenement fire escape or windowsill
is frightened by pot of basil, but
with no such significance: rather
are they there for decorative pur-
poses and culinary ones. In rural
Italy love-Sick sWains still hang
sprig of basil coyly over one ear
when they a-wooing go, and the
maid of his choice reciprocates by
wearing a nosegay of this romantic,
gay little herb. 1t is one of the
herbs which may very readily be
substituted for pepper. it is so hot
and spicy. Its tantalizing flavor in
tomato sauce or salad dressing may
be obtained by the use of the minced
leaves or in vinegar made from
basil, which is very pungent.
A member of the carrot family,
parsley, which has been facetiously
called the American national gar
nish, had an origin in the days
when gods ruled on Mount Hymet-
tus. Venus was the patroness of
parsley, and newborn babes we're
reputed to be found in parsley beds,
much as was Moses in the bull
rushes. Easy to grow after the
slow termination of the seeds, this
useful herb may be brought into the
house and along with several others
grace the sunny window of kitch-
en- or occupy more distinguished
position in some part of the house
where guests may see, admire and
ask for sprigs to take home.
All of these herbs and a score
more may be easily grown in any
garden or even in bright spot in
an apartment. The ones like corian-
der, anise. dill caraWay and cum
min, the seeds of which are useful
for many purposes, we have not
even mentioned, but they. too. have
backgrounds of dignity and distinc-
ton and grace any herb garden
where they grow. Indeed. in Num-
bers, xi.4-8. the mamma which fell
from Heaven was likened to the seed
OF the coriander. which is a small,
fiat, round one. All these seeds may
be used in confections and cakes,
and each has its devoted adherents.
Growing herbs today to take the
place Of spices, which are becoming
ever scarcer. is patriotic procedure
and a thrilling adventure as well.
The fragrant beauty of most Of
them, the delightfully."- different tang
of each one from chives to rue re-
pays one hundredfold for the small
amount of space required and work
given to their cultivation.
So my hats off to the aristocrats
of the vegetable world, for they
are piquant. patriotic and pictur-
esque, all three. The Department OF
Agriculture has issued several farm
ers bulletins dealing with herbs
which hold wealth of information
whether you grow the plants for
pleasure or profit.
This is the last of tuo articles on
herbs.