208 NECTARINE. NURSERT. 



giving a whiter and milder flour than the seed of the 

 black. " Armstrong. 



The seed of this plant is also celebrated for its medical 

 virtues, being at once a tonic and an aperient ; cleansing 

 the stomach and bowels, and bracing the system at the 

 same time. See N. E. Farmer, vol. vi. p. 188. 



BLACK MUSTARD S. nigra is a larger plant than the 

 white, with much darker leaves, and their divisions 

 blunter. 



Use. " Black mustard is chiefly cultivated in fields for 

 the mill, and for medicinal purposes. It is sometimes, 

 however, sown in gardens, and the tender leaves used as 

 greens, early in the spring. The seed leaves, in common 

 with those of the cress, radish, rape, &c., are sometimes 

 used as a salad ingredient ; but the grand purpose for which 

 the plant is cultivated, is for seeds, which, ground, produce 

 the well known condiment. If the seeds, Dr. Culleu ob- 

 serves, be taken fresh from the plant, and ground, the pow- 

 der has little pungency, but is very bitter ; by steeping in 

 vinegar, however, the esential oil is evolved, and the pow- 

 der becomes extremely pungent. In moistening mustard- 

 powder for the table, it may be remarked, that it makes the 

 best appearance when rich milk is used ; but the mixture, 

 in this case, does not keep good for more than two days. 

 The seeds of both the black and white mustard are often 

 used, in an entire state, medicinally." 



Culture for the mill. " To raise seed for flour of mus- 

 tard, and other officinal occasions, sow, either in March or 

 April, in any open compartment; or make large sowings in 

 fields, where designed for public supply. Sow moderately 

 thick, either in drills, from six to twelve inches asunder, or 

 broad-cast, and rake or harrow in the seed. When the 

 plants are two or three inches in the growth, hoe and 

 thin them moderately where too thick, and clear them from 

 weeds. They will soon run up in stalks, and, in July or 

 August, return a crop of seed ripe for gathering." Aber- 

 crombie. 



NECTARINE. Amygdalus Persica. This is, by some 

 writers, considered as the same fruit with the peach, and 

 its culture is the same. See art. FRUIT, for its different 

 kinds, and PEACH, for its culture. 



NURSERY. In establishing a nursery, two points 

 should be contemplated fitness as to the disposal of the 

 produce, and fitness as to shelter, aspect, and soil. Regard 



