Horehound (_Marrubium vulgare_) is a hardy perennial herb of the mint
family, which occurs as a common weed in many places in the United
States, especially on the Pacific coast, where it threatens to become a
pest. The leaves and flowering tops find some demand as a crude drug.
Their greatest use, however, is in the manufacture of candy, although
they are sometimes employed for seasoning.
Horehound grows well in almost any soil and thrives in light, dry soils
lacking in fertility. It grows readily from seeds, which are usually
sown in drills early in the spring and covered with about an inch of
soil. Plants may also be started in coldframes, either from seed or
cuttings, and later transplanted to the field. Propagation may also
be effected by division of old plants. Plants may stand 6, 12, or 18
inches apart in the row; those which stand close together will have
small stems, and hence will yield a crop of finer quality.
The plants are harvested just before flowering and should be cured in
the shade in order to preserve the green color. If the stems are small,
the plants may be cut close to the ground with a scythe, or with a
mower if the area is large. In case the plants are tall and large they
must be cut some distance above the ground and all coarse stems removed
to make the herb suitable for marketing.
Yields at the rate of 2,000 pounds of dry herb per acre have been
obtained. The prewar wholesale prices for the herb ranged from 5 to 8
cents a pound. The price in June, 1920, was 15 to 16 cents. The annual
importation of horehound varies from year to year, sometimes reaching
60 to 70 tons.