278 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



PEPPERS (Capsicum annuum) 



Description. Native of South America. A peren- 

 nial, but in cultivation is grown as an annual. There are 

 many varieties, differing chiefly in the shape of their fruit. 

 All of them have erect, branching stems, which become 

 almost woody. The leaves are spear-shaped; flowers 

 white, star-shaped, solitary in the axils of the leaves; fruit 

 generally hollow with a somewhat fleshy skin, at first dark 

 green, but when ripe turning yellow, red, or dark violet. 







Fig. 121. Varieties of peppers; /, Bird's Eye; 2, Tomato Shaped; ?, New 

 Orleans; 4, Golden Bell; 5, Very Small Cayenne; 6, Sweet Spanish; 7, Cluster; 

 8, Ruby King; 9, Celestial. (After Landreth.) 



The seeds are flat, and, like the flesh of the pods, have a 

 very acrid, burning taste, for which the plant is cultivated 

 and used in giving flavor to pickles, etc. Their germinating 

 power lasts about four years after being separated, but if 

 left in the pods they will keep much longer without injury. 

 Culture. Peppers need practically the same culti- 

 vation as the tomato or eggplant, except that they may 

 be planted two feet apart, in rows three feet apart. 



