PEPPER. 607 



shallow drills six inches apart, and transplant to the open 

 ground when summer weather has commenced. The plants 

 should be set in warm, mellow soil, in rows sixteen inches 

 apart, and about the same distance apart in the rows ; or, in 

 ordinary seasons, the following simple method may be adopt- 

 ed for a small garden, and will afford an abundant supply of 

 peppers for family use : When all danger from frost is past, 

 and the soil is warm and settled, sow the seeds in the open 

 ground, in drills three fourths of an inch deep, and fourteen 

 inches apart ; and, while young, thin out the plants to ten 

 inches apart in the rows. Cultivate in the usual manner, and 

 the crop will be fit for use early in September. 



Use. " The pod, or fruit, is much used in pickles, sea- 

 sonings, and made dishes, as both the pod and seeds yield a 

 warm, acrid oil, the heat of which, being imparted to the 

 stomach, promotes digestion, and corrects the flatulency of 

 vegetable aliments. The larger and more common sorts are 

 raised in great quantities, by market-gardeners in the vicinity 

 of populous towns, for the supply of pickle warehouses." 



Species and Varieties. 



Plant two feet and upwards in height, stocky Bell-Pepper. 



LAROE BELL. 



and branching, the stem and branches often BULL-NOSE. 

 stained or clouded with purple ; leaves large, on long stems, 

 smaller, smoother, and less sharply 

 pointed, than those of the Squash-pep- 

 per ; flowers white, sometimes measur- 

 ing nearly an inch and a half in diameter. 

 The pods, which are remarkably large, 

 and often measure nearly four inches 

 deep and three inches in diameter, are 

 pendent, broadest at the stem, slightly 

 tapering, and generally terminate in four 

 obtuse, cone-like points. At maturity, the fruit changes to 

 brilliant, glossy, coral red. 



