pale-blue, and produced in small umbels at the extremities of the
branches; the seeds are long, furrowed, of a pale-brownish color, and
somewhat resemble those of Anise,--about seven thousand are contained in
an ounce, and they retain their power of germination three years.

_Soil and Cultivation._--Cumin requires a light, warm-loamy soil. The
seed should be sown about the beginning of May, in drills fourteen
inches apart and half an inch deep. When the plants are well up, they
should be thinned to three or four inches apart in the lines. The
treatment of the growing crop, and the usual method of harvesting, are
the same as directed for Anise or Coriander.

The seed is sometimes sown broadcast; the soil being first finely
pulverized, and raked smooth and even. This may be successfully
practised upon land naturally light and warm, if free from weeds.

Though a native of a warm climate, Cumin may be successfully grown
throughout the Middle States, and in the warmer portions of the Northern
and Eastern.

_Use._--The plant is cultivated for its seeds, which are carminative,
and used as those of Caraway and Coriander. They are sometimes employed
for flavoring spirits.

The plant is rarely grown, and the seeds are but little used, in the
United States. There are no varieties.

* * * * *

DILL. _Loud._

Anethum graveolens.

Dill is a hardy, biennial plant. There is but one species cultivated,
and there are no varieties. The stem is erect and slender, and the
leaves are finely divided; the flowers are produced in June and July of
the second year, and the seeds ripen in August. The plant resembles
Fennel in its general character, though smaller and less vigorous.

_Propagation and Cultivation._--Dill flourishes best in light soil, and
is propagated from seeds sown annually. As these retain their vitality
but a single year, and, even when kept through the winter, vegetate
slowly, they are frequently sown late in summer, or early in autumn,
immediately after ripening. The drills are made a foot apart, and the
seeds covered half an inch deep. The young plants should be thinned to
six inches apart in the rows; and the leaves may be gathered for use
from July till winter, and in the following spring till the plants have
run to flower.

_Use._--"The whole plant is strongly aromatic. Its leaves are used to
give flavor to pickles, particularly cucumbers; and occasionally are
added to soups