Four Spices. Allspice. Black Cumin. Quatre Epices, of the French. Nigella saliva.
A hardy, annual plant from the East Indies. Stem twelve to eighteen inches high, with alternate, sessile, finely divided leaves; the flowers are large, white, variegated with blue; the seeds, which are produced in a roundish capsule, are somewhat triangular, wrinkled, of a yellowish color, and pungent, aromatic taste,—about thirteen thousand are contained in an ounce, and they retain their vitality three years. There is a species cultivated, the seeds of which are black.
Soil and Cultivation.—It is always raised from seed, and thrives best in light, warm soil. The seed may be sown from the middle of April to the middle of May. Pulverize the soil well, make the surface smooth and even, and sow in drills twelve or fourteen inches apart and about half an inch deep. When the plants are two inches high, thin them to five or six inches apart in the rows. During the summer, cultivate in the usual manner, keeping the soil loose, and watering occasionally if the weather be dry; and in August or September, or when the seed ripens, cut off the plants at the roots, spread them in an airy situation, and, when sufficiently dried, thresh out; after which, spread the seed a short time to evaporate any remaining moisture, and they will be ready for use.
Use.—The seeds have a warm, aromatic taste; and are employed in French cookery, under the name of quatre épices, or "four spices."
PARSLEY.
Apium petroselinum.
Parsley is a hardy, biennial plant from Sardinia. The leaves of the first year are all radical, compound, rich, deep-green, smooth, and shining. When fully developed, the plant measures three or four feet in height; the flowers are small, white, in terminal umbels; the seeds are ovoid, somewhat three-sided, slightly curved, of a grayish-brown color and aromatic taste,—seven thousand are contained in an ounce, and they retain their vitality three years.
Soil and Propagation.—Parsley succeeds best in rich, mellow soil, and is propagated from seeds sown annually; an ounce of seed being allowed to a hundred and fifty feet of drill.
Sowing.—As the seed vegetates slowly,—sometimes remaining in the earth four or five weeks before the plants appear,—the sowing should be made as early in spring as the ground is in working condition. Lay out the bed of a size corresponding to the supply required, spade it deeply and thoroughly, level the surface (making it fine and smooth), and sow the seed in drills fourteen inches apart, and half an inch deep. When the plants are two or three inches high, thin them to eight or ten inches apart; being careful, in the thinning, to leave only the best and finest curled plants.