In preparing this department we have been governed by two essential observations.  First, that the tendency in American and Canadian homes is to the return to the good old home remedies that mother and grandmother used so successfully.  We have, therefore, tried to choose in this list of over one hundred herbs, the most common ones, ones that could be prepared at home easily and quickly and which would be perfectly safe for the average person to administer as medicine.

Second, upon a close examination of the herb departments of practically all of the medical works or receipt books sold for family use today we discovered that only general information and directions were given.  In this connection, we have endeavored, and we believe successfully, to supply what other books have neglected,—­definite directions for the preparation, dose, etc.  Should a physician leave a bottle of medicine at your home without directions you would not think of using it, and it is just as useless and indiscreet for a young mother to attempt to use herbs from the field without explicit directions for their preparation and administration.

We give below a few important directions for gathering, keeping and preparation of herbs, etc., for reference when using herbs not in this list.  Those in the list are explained under their respective headings.

Drying and Preserving Roots, Herbs, Barks, etc.—­Gather herbs when the weather is fine, when there is no dew upon them, when the flowers are in full bloom or the seeds are ripening.  By gathering the herbs yourself you are assured of their being fresh although, if living in the city, you can purchase them ready prepared in ounce packages for about five cents at any drug store.  Should you gather them yourself dry them in the shade, after which they should be kept from exposure to the air by wrapping up in paper or keeping in paper bags, tied and hung up in the attic or other dry place.  If hanging exposed in your home for a long time watch them that moths do not gather in them and make their nests.

[Illustration:  Bloodroot] [Illustration:  Elder flowers] [Illustration:  Pleurisy root] [Illustration:  Snake head] [Illustration:  Seneca snake root] [Illustration:  Ginseng] [Illustration:  Mandrake or may-apple] [Illustration:  Wahoo] [Illustration:  Scouring rush] [Illustration:  Boneset] [Illustration:  Rock rose] [Illustration:  Tansy] [Illustration:  Bearberry] [Illustration:  St. John’s wort] [Illustration:  Wormwood] [Illustration:  True chamomile] [Illustration:  Indian tobacco or lobelia] [Illustration:  Canada fleabane] [Illustration:  Marsh marigold] [Illustration:  American wormseed] [Illustration:  Elecampane] [Illustration:  Mustard] [Illustration:  Partridge berry]