Anise (_Pimpinella anisum_) is an annual herb of the parsley family,
widely cultivated in Europe and to a limited extent in this country,
chiefly in Rhode Island. Although this plant may be grown quite
generally throughout the United States, it has been found difficult to
bring the crop to maturity in northerly situations where the growing
season is short or in the South where the climate is hot and dry.
It is grown chiefly for its aromatic seeds (fruits), which are used
medicinally, and also in baking and for flavoring confectionery. The
oil distilled from the seeds is used medicinally in cordials, and also
for flavoring various beverages.
Anise thrives best in a light, moderately rich, and well-drained loam
which has been carefully prepared before planting. It is grown from
seeds, which are usually sown early in the spring directly in the
field, since the seedlings are unfavorably affected by transplanting.
The seeds, which should not be more than 2 years old, are sown thickly,
about two to the inch, and covered one-half inch deep. Since the plants
develop very slowly, seed should not be sown in weedy soil. When the
seedlings are 2 to 3 inches high they are thinned to stand 6 inches
apart in the row. The rows may be 18 inches or 3 feet apart, depending
on the cultivation intended. An ounce of seed should sow a row 150 feet
long, and about 5 pounds will plant an acre when the rows are 3 feet
apart. The plants should receive frequent and thorough cultivation
throughout the growing season.
About three months from the time of planting the plants will blossom,
and a month later the seed should be matured sufficiently for
harvesting. As soon as the tips of the seeds turn a grayish green color
they should be harvested, for if allowed to remain exposed to the
weather they quickly turn brown or blacken. The plants may be pulled by
hand and stacked, tops inward, in heaps about 6 feet high, or they may
be mowed and at once built up into cocks of the same height. In about
four or five days the seed will have ripened, after which it should be
thrashed out and thoroughly cleaned.
Yields of anise seed are quite variable, since the plant is very
sensitive to unfavorable weather conditions. In a good season from 400
to 600 pounds per acre may be reasonably expected. The prewar wholesale
price usually ranged from 6 to 8 cents a pound. The prices in June,
1920, ranged from 19 to 30 cents a pound. During the war the average
annual importation of 500 tons was reduced to about 180 tons.