Herb Patience. Patience Dock. Garden Patience. Rumex patientia.

This plant is a native of the south of Europe. It is a hardy perennial, and, when fully grown, from four to five feet in height. The leaves are large, long, broad, pointed; the leaf-stems are red; the flowers are numerous, small, axillary, and of a whitish-green color,--they are put forth in June and July, and the seeds ripen in August. The latter are triangular, of a pale-brownish color, and will keep three years.

Soil and Cultivation.--"The plant will grow well in almost any soil, but best in one that is rich and rather moist. It may easily be raised from seed sown in spring, in drills eighteen inches asunder; afterwards thinning out the young plants to a foot apart in the rows. It may also be sown broadcast in a seed-bed, and planted out; or the roots may be divided, and set at the above distances.

"The plants should not be allowed to run up to flower, but should be cut over several times in the course of the season, to induce them to throw out young leaves in succession, and to prevent seed from being ripened, and scattered about in all directions; for, when this takes place, the plant becomes a troublesome weed."--Thomp.

It is perfectly hardy, and, if cut over regularly, will continue healthy and productive for several years. In the vicinity of gardens where it has been cultivated, it is frequently found growing spontaneously.

Use.--"The leaves were formerly much used as Spinach; and are still eaten in

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