The book of herbs by Northcote Rosalind 1873-1950

Author:Northcote, Rosalind, 1873-1950
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Herbs
Publisher: London ; New York : J. Lane
Published: 1903-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

HERBS USED IN DECORATIONS, ETC. 121

Bergamot (Monarda jistulosa).

It is extraordinary how little comment has been made on the handsome red flowers and fragrant leaves of Red Bergamot, or Bee-Balm—a name which Robinson gives it. Growing in masses, it makes a lovely bit of colour, and a very sweet border. Bergamot was a favourite flower in the posies that country people used to take to church, as Mrs Ewing observes in her story " Daddy Darwin's Dove Cot." The youthful heroine loses her posy of "Old Man and Mary golds" on the way to Sunday school, and is discovered looking for it by an equally youthful admirer. He at once offers to get her some more Old Man. " But Phosbe drew nearer. She stroked down her frock, and spoke mincingly but confidentially. ' My mother says Daddy Darwin has red bergamot i' his garden. We've none i' ours. My mother always says there's nothing like red bergamot to take to church. She says it's a deal more refreshing than Old Men, and not so common." A note gives the information that the particular kind of Bergamot meant here was the Twinflower Monarda Didyma. There are several varieties of Monarda.

The only superstition that I have ever heard in any way connected with the plant is, that in Dorsetshire it is thought unlucky, and that if it be kept in a house an illness will be the consequence.

CoSTMARY (Tanacetum Balsamita). Coole violets and orpine growing still, Enbathed balme and cheerfuU galingale, Fresh costmarie and healthfuU camomile.

J^uiopOtlTIQl.

Then balm and mint help to make up IVIy chaplet and for trial Costmary that so likes the cup. And next it penny-royal.

Then hot muscado oil, with milder maudlin cast, Stroing tansey, fennel cool, they prodigally waste.

Polyolhion, Song XV.

Costmary or Alecost, and Maudeline {BaUamita Vulgaris), have so close a semblance that they may be taken together. The German name for Costmary, Frauen m'unze, supports the natural idea that it was dedicated to the Virgin, but Dr Prior says that the Latin name used to be Costus amarus, not Costus Marie, and that it was really appropriated to St Mary Magda-leine, as its English name Maudeline declares. Both plants were much used to make " sweete washing water; the flowers are tyed up with small bundles of lavender toppes; these they put in the middle of them, to lye upon the toppes of beds, presses, etc., for the sweet sent and savour it casteth." i They were also used for strewing. In France Costmary is sometimes used in salads, and it was formerly put into beer and negus; " hence the name Alecost."

Germander (Teucnum Chamxdrys).

Clear hysop and there^with the comfortable thyme. Germander with the rest, each thing then in her prime.

Polyolhion, Song XV.

Germander, marjoram and thyme.

Which used are for strewing, "With hisop as an herb most prime.

Herein my wreath bestowing.

JS^uses^ Elysium.

Germander was grown as a border to garden "knots," "though being more used as a strewing herbe for the house than for any other use." ^ Culpepper says

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