The common sage plant (_Salvia officinalis_) is a hardy perennial
of the mint family, widely cultivated in gardens, and when once
established it persists for several years. The leaves are used
extensively for seasoning meats and soups, and a tea made from them is
an old household remedy.
Sage is easily cultivated and will grow in any well-drained fertile
soil, but seems to thrive best in a rich clayey loam. For cultivation
on a large scale the seeds are sown in early spring in rows from 2 to 3
feet apart, and when the plants are well up they are thinned to stand
about 12 inches apart in the row. Seedling plants have a tendency to
produce narrow leaves; hence, the broad-leaved varieties which do not
flower readily are the most desirable, since they give a larger yield
of leaves. As the plants rarely set seed, they are usually grown from
cuttings, which may be obtained from seed houses having their own
propagating gardens. Cuttings set as early in the spring as weather
conditions will permit usually give a large crop. In the North the
plants should be protected In winter by a mulch of manure. Sage may
also be grown as a second crop after early vegetables.
A fair crop of leaves may be harvested the first season and a much
larger one for five or six years following. Only one picking should be
made the first year, after which two or three pickings may be made in a
season. If a product of fine quality is desired, the leaves are picked
by hand and dried in the shade. Sage leaves are apt to turn black while
drying unless the removal of moisture proceeds continually until they
are fully dry. A cheap grade may be obtained at a smaller harvest cost
by cutting the plants with a mower, the cutter bar of which is set at
such a height as not to include the woody stems. The dry herb should be
marketed promptly, since it loses its strength rapidly with age.
Returns from experimental areas indicate that on good soil a yield of
2,000 pounds or more of dried tops per acre may be expected. In case
the leaves only are harvested, the yield will be proportionately less.
American leaf sage usually brings a considerably higher price than that
imported from Europe. During the last three years the price has ranged
from 20 to 70 cents a pound, according to supply and demand.
[Illustration: Fig. 8.--Seneca snakeroot (_Polygala senega_).]