Sweet Herbs and Small Salads 195 



rows. The crop is fit to harvest at the end of the third year, and con- 

 siderable labour is required to lift the roots which have penetrated the 

 soil very deeply. The usual method is to dig a deep trench alongside the 

 first row, thus exposing the roots, which are then dug out, or pulled out 

 with ropes. The roots may be stored in pits like Beetroots and Carrots 

 until wanted. 



Marigold (Calendula officinalis). This has already been referred to 

 in Vol. II, p. 14. The flowers are used for colouring butter, flavouring 

 soups, &c. Between June and September they are gathered and hung up 

 in the shade to dry slowly, after which they are stored for winter use. 



Marjoram (Origanum vulgare). This British plant grows in almost 

 any soil, and may be raised from seeds or division. The Pot Marjoram 

 (0. Onites) is a native of Sicily, and is propagated from cuttings in 

 early summer, or by division in spring. It likes warm, dryish soil. The 

 Sweet or Knotted Marjoram (0. Majorana) is a tender Egyptian biennial. 

 It is raised annually from seeds sown broadcast or in drills on warm 

 borders in spring; or it may be raised in a hotbed and afterwards planted 

 out in May. The Winter Sweet Marjoram (0. Heracleoticum) is a hardy 

 South European perennial, increased by division in spring or autumn. The 

 aromatic leaves of the various kinds are used for seasoning soups, &c. The 

 shoots are cut as the plants are coming into flower, and are hung up in the 

 shade to dry slowly, being afterwards stored for use. 



Mint or Spearmint (Mentha viridis). This British and European 

 perennial is now cultivated extensively both in the open air and under 

 glass by many market gardeners, and has been dealt with specially at 

 p. 116. Peppermint (M. piperita), so much used for the preparation of 

 the cordial bearing its name, may be grown in the same way as the 

 ordinary Mint, in any good garden soil. Pennyroyal (J\L Pulegium) emits 

 a powerful aromatic odour, and is used medicinally. It likes strong loamy 

 soil, and is increased by division. 



Mustard (Sinapis alba). This quick - growing European annual is 

 usually grown with Cress (see p. 190), although another plant, Rape 

 (Brassica Napus), owing to its somewhat milder flavour, is often sub- 

 stituted for it. The roundish white seeds of Mustard germinate quickly, 

 and for salad purposes the stalks are cut quite young before the true leaves 

 begin to appear, and are packed in punnets in the same way as Cress. A 

 fresh crop can be obtained every week or so during the season by means of 

 repeated sowings. 



Nasturtium or Indian Cress (Tropceolum majus). This well-known 

 plant, although a perennial in its native home, Peru, is generally treated 

 as an annual in cultivation. As a decorative flower-garden plant it is 

 referred to in Vol, II, p. 73, and that is the chief role it and its varieties and 

 hybrids play in British gardens. It practically has no other commercial 

 value. The leaves, young shoots, and flowers are sometimes eaten as salad, 

 or between thin slices of bread and butter. They possess a "cressy" flavour, 

 although the plants really belong to the Geranium family. 



