The Family Kitchen Gardener (1856)/Chive
CHIVE.
A’llium Schanóprassum.—Civette, Fr.—Binsenlauch, Ger.
Allium is the botanical generic name for all roots of the Onion family, to which this belongs. It is a British plant and is supposed to partake of the flavor of both the Onion and the Leek. Its principal use is for soups and salads. The fine rush-like leaves, when about three or four inches high, are fit for use. They grow again with surprising rapidity, and are the earliest Spring salad, or seasoning.
Culture.—It is a hardy perennial bulb, and, when once planted, will continue to grow for many years in any soil. They make very good edgings for any compartment of the kitchen garden. Plant them in March or October, a few inches apart, and two inches deep: they will soon spread into a large bush, and not suffer in the extremest cold.