PEPPERMINT. 419 



This variety somewhat resembles Celery, Naples or 

 and, by writers on gardening, is described as leaved Pars- 

 a hybrid between some of the kinds of Celery NEAPOLITAN 



J PARSLEY. CEL- 



and the Large-rooted or Hamburg Parsley. EKr PARSLEY - 

 With the exception of their larger size, the leaves are simi- 

 lar to those of the Common Plain Parsley. 



Use. The leaves are sometimes employed for garnish- 

 ing, but are generally blanched, and served as Celery. 



Solving and Cultivation. The plants are started in a hot- 

 bed in March, or the seeds may be sown in a seed-bed in the 

 open ground in May. When the seedlings are four or five 

 inches high, transplant to trenches two feet apart, and six or 

 eight inches deep, setting the plants a foot apart in the 

 trenches ; afterwards gather the earth gradually about the 

 stems, in the process of cultivation, and when they are 

 sufficiently grown and blanched, harvest and preserve as 

 Celery. 



To raise Seeds. Leave two or three plants unblanched. 

 They should be eighteen inches asunder, and may remain in 

 the open ground during winter. They will flower, and yield 

 a plentiful supply of seeds, the following summer. 



PEPPERMINT. 



Mentha piperita. 



Peppermint is a hardy, perennial plant, introduced from 

 Europe, and growing naturally in considerable abundance 

 along the banks of small streams, and in rich, wet localities. 

 Where once established, it spreads rapidly, and will remain 

 a long period. 



Stem smooth, erect, four-sided, and from two to three feet 

 in height ; leaves opposite, ovate, pointed, toothed on the 

 margin ; flowers purplish, or violet-blue, in terminal spikes ; 



