606 MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES. 



It is principally, if not solely, distinguished by the pendulous 

 or drooping character of its pods, those of all other sorts 

 being erect. 



Tall, or Giant Stem five to six feet in height ; pods erect, 

 WHITE-PODDED, sharply tapering to a point, eight to ten inches 

 in length, and about an inch and a half in di- 

 ameter near the stem, or at the broadest part. 



With the exception of its larger size, it is similar to the 

 Dwarf, and, if long cultivated under the influence of short 

 and cool seasons, would probably prove identical. 



It yields abundantly, but is best adapted to the climate of 

 the Middle and Southern States. 



PEPPER. 



Capsicum. Capsicum annuum. 



Of the Capsicum there are many species, both annual and 

 perennial, some of the latter being of a shrubby or woody 

 character, and from four to six feet in height. As they are 

 mostly tropical, and consequently tender, none but the annual 

 species can be successfully grown in open culture in the Mid- 

 dle States or New England. 



The Capsicum annuum, or Common Garden-pepper, is a 

 native of India. The stalks vary in height from a foot to 

 nearly three feet ; the flowers are generally white or purple ; 

 the pods differ in a remarkable degree in size, form, color, 

 and acridness ; the seeds are yellow, nearly circular, flattened, 

 and, like the flesh or rind of the fruit, remarkable for their 

 intense piquancy. Nearly forty-five hundred are contained in 

 an ounce, and their vitality is retained five years. 



Propagation and Cultivation. The plants are always 

 propagated from seeds. Early in April sow in a hot-bed, in 



