198 MELON. 



The WINTER SWEET MARJORAM is the 0. Heracleaticum, 

 a hardy perennial, a native of Greece. The leaves of this 

 species resemble those of O. marjorana ; but the flow- 

 ers come in spikes. It flowers from June to November, 

 requires a sheltered, dry soil, and, seldom ripening its seeds, 

 is propagated by slips and cuttings. 



The COMMON MARJORAM is the O. vulgare, a native of 

 Britain. It bears a considerable resemblance to the last 

 named species. The flowers arise in sub-rotund panicles, in 

 smooth, coloured spikes, of a reddish appearance, in July and 

 August. This species is only used in cookery, in default 

 of the others. 



Culture. The three first species prefer a light, dry soil ; 

 the other a calcareous soil and shady situation. For a seed- 

 bed, three feet by three feet, a quarter of an ounce of seed 

 is sufficient. Sow in April, on a compartrfent of light 

 earth, either in small drills, or broad-cast; or, sow a portion 

 in a hot-bed, if requisite to have a small crop forwarded. 

 When the plants are one, two, or three inches higb, thin 

 the seed-beds, and plant those thinned out in a final bed, 

 six inches apart, giving water ; or, where larger supplies 

 are required, some may remain thick where sown, to be 

 drawn off by the root as wanted. The pot, winter, and 

 common marjoram may be propagated from offsets, by part- 

 ing the roots in spring and autumn. Plant in rows in beds, 

 allowing a square foot for each plant. 



Gather the tops of all the sorts as wanted for summer 

 use ; and when in full blossom, in July or August, for 

 preservation through the winter. 



Use. All the species, but especially the three first, are 

 aromatics, of sweet flavour, much used as relishing herbs in 

 soups, broths, stuffings, &c. The young, tender tops and 

 leaves together, are used in summer, in a green state ; and 

 they are dried for winter. Abridged from Encyc. of Card. 



MELON. Cucumis melo, and CucwUta citndlus. 

 There are but two species, the melon with a rough or em- 

 broidered coat, called musk-melon, (cucumis melo,} and the 

 melon with a smooth skin, called water-melon, (cucurbita 

 citrulhis.) Of each of the species there are many varieties. 

 Mr. Russell's Catalogue contains the following : 



CUCUMfS MELO. 



Green citron, (finest variety,) 



Murray's pine apple, 



Persian, 



Nutmeg, 



Minorca, 



Large cantaloupe, 

 Pomegranite. 



CUCURBITA CITRULLU8. 



Carolina water, 

 Long Island do. 

 Apple-seeded do (early,) 



