MAR 



365 



MAR 



spots suitable for stony or gravelly 1 for them. If the soil is wet or rich. 



they are deficient in their essential 

 Ten species, chiefly qualities, and the perennials are unable 

 ' " " The sit- 



shores 

 MA RICA. 



green-house herbaceous perennials. M. to withstand severe weather 



patuiiosa is a stove aquatic. Division or nation cannot be too open. 



seeds. Loam, peat, and sand. Time and Mode of Propagation. — The 



M.\RIGOLI). Calendula officinalis, sweet marjoram is propagated solely by 



Varieties. — Single; Common double ; I seeds ; the two perennials by seed, as 



Largest very double; Double lemon- Well as by parting their roots, and slips 



coloured; Great Childing ; Small Child- ' of their branches. Sowing may be per- 



ing. The single-flowered and those formed of all the species, from the con- 



vvhich have the darkest orange colour, elusion of February, if open weather, 



are most esteemed, as possessing the I to the commencement of June ; but the 



most flavour. ' early part of April is the usual time for 



Soil and Situation. — The soil most ' performing it. Portions of the rooted 



suited to them is one that is light, dry, 

 and poor. In rich ground they grow 

 larger and more luxuriant, but lose 

 much of their flavour and quality. The 

 situation cannot be too open and ex- 

 posed 



plants, slips, &c., may be planted from 

 February until May, and during Sep- 

 tember and October. 



The sowing is performed either in 

 drills, six inches apart, or broadcast; 

 in either case the seed being buried not 



Sowing may be from the close of more than half an inch deep. When 

 February until June; or it may be per- the seedlings have attained a height of 

 formed in autumn, during September, two or three inches, they must be thin- 

 If left to themselves, they will never ned to six inches, and those removed 

 fiil to multiply from the seif-sown seed, may be pricked in rows at a similar 

 Sow in drills, ten inches apart; the distance apart each way. Those of the 

 plants are best left where raised, being 1 annual species are to remain; but those 

 thinned to ten or twelve inches asunder; I of the perennials, to be finally removed 



but when the seedlings are two or three 

 inches in height, they may be removed 

 into rows at similar distances as above. 

 Water must be given moderately every 

 other day, until established. 



Gathering. — The flowers, which the 



during September, at the distances di- 

 rected below, when raised from slips, 

 &c., water beinggiven at every removal, 

 and until the plants are established. 



The slips and partings of the root, 

 are inserted in rows ten or twelve 



spring-raised plants will produce in the ' inches apart, whera they are to remain; 

 June of the same year, but those of they must be watered moderately every 

 autumn not until that of the following ! evening, and shided during the day, 

 one, will be fit to gather for keeping in | until they have taken root, which they 

 July, when they are fully expanded, as | soon do, and acquire a stocky growth, 

 well as for use when required. Before i The only cultivation that any of the 

 storing, they must be dried perfectly, species require, is the frequent applica- 

 otherwise they become mouldy and tion of the hoe. In October the decay- 



decay. 



ed parts of the perennials are cut away. 



To obtain Seed. — Plants of each va- and some soil from the alleys scattered 



riety must be grown as far distant from 

 each other as may be. The two child- 

 ing, and the largest double marigolds, 

 are especiable liable to degenerate, if 

 the seed is not carefully taken from the 

 largest and most double flowers. 



M.\IUORAM. (.Origanum.) O. mar- 



oxer the bed about half an inch in depth, 

 the surfice of the earth between the 

 stools being previously stirred gently. 



The tops and leaves of all the species 

 are gathered when green in summer 

 and autumn, for use, in soups, &c.; and 

 a store of the branches are cut and dried 



jnrana. Sweet or Summer Marjoram, in July or August, just before the flow- 

 0. heracleoticum. Winter Marjoram, ers open for winter's supply. 

 O. onites. Common or Pot Marjoram, i To obtain Seed. — There is little diffi- 

 Soil and Situation. — A light, dry and : culty in obtaining the seed of the pot 

 moderately fertile soil is required for I marjoram ; if a plant or two are left 

 their healthy growth; and if it is one ! ungathered from, it unfailingly ripens 

 that has not been cropped for a con- I in the course of the autumn. But the 

 Biderable time, it is the more favourable I exotic species seldom ripen theirs in 



