be well worked, in rows three feet apart, and
eighteen inches from each other in the rows; covering with earth to the
depth of two or three inches. Every year, late in autumn, when the sap
has gone down and the leaves have turned yellow, the old stems should be
cut down with a pruning-knife to a level with the ground. At this time,
also, the creeping stems are forked up, cut off close to the main stems,
and preserved in sand, or in heaps covered with straw and earth, for
future plantations. The roots will be ready for taking up three years
after planting. This should be done towards winter, after the descent of
the sap. A trench three feet must then be thrown out, and the roots
extracted; after which, they may be stored in sand for use."--_Thomp._

_Use._--The roots are the parts of the plant used, and these are
extensively employed by porter-brewers. "The sweet, mucilaginous juice
extracted from the roots by boiling is much esteemed as an emollient in
colds."

* * * * *

PENNYROYAL.

Hedeoma pulegioides.

The American Pennyroyal is a small, branching, annual plant, common to
gravelly localities, and abounding towards autumn among stubble in dry
fields from whence crops of wheat or rye have been recently harvested.
The stem is erect, branching, and from six to twelve inches high; the
leaves are opposite, oval, slightly toothed; flowers bluish, in axillary
clusters; seeds very small, deep blackish-brown.

_Sowing and Cultivation._--In its natural state, the seeds ripen towards
autumn, lie dormant in the earth during winter, and vegetate the
following spring or summer. When cultivated, the seeds should be sown
soon after ripening, as they vegetate best when exposed to the action of
frost during winter. They are sown broadcast, or in drills ten or twelve
inches asunder. When the plants are in full flower, they are cut off, or
taken up by the roots, and dried in an airy, shaded situation.

_Use._--Pennyroyal possesses a warm, pungent, somewhat aromatic taste,
and is employed exclusively for medical purposes. An infusion of the
leaves is stimulating, sudorific, tonic, and beneficial in colds and
chills.

This plant must not be confounded with the Pennyroyal (_Mentha
pulegium_) of English writers, which is a species of Mint, and quite
distinct from the plant generally known as Pennyroyal in this country.

* * * * *

POPPY, OR MAW.

Papaver somniferum,