202 



THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



PENNYROYAL (Mentha pulegium) is of the Mint 

 faffjily, and is cultivated exactly like Mint, which see. 



PEPPER or CAPSICUM (Capsicum annuwri) is a 

 hot-season plant which will endure some frost, but for 

 best results in the North should be started under glass. 



Fig. 96. Seedlings of Pepper. Natural size. 



The plants are grown for their fruit : that of the small 

 varieties is used for pickling; that of the larger is used 

 for "mangoes" and "stuffed peppers." The larger 

 varieties bear large fleshy fruits of a mild or even sweet 

 flavor; the small peppers, especially the so-called Chili 

 Peppers, are hot and peppery, although quite distinct, 

 botanically, from the Pepper of commerce. Varieties 

 differ in shape, size, and pungency. "Green Peppers" 

 are the unripe fruits. 



