70 OF HERBS, &C. SECT, XVI. 



Mint is propagated by pieces of its roots, or 

 rooted slips, in the spring, set an inch or two deep, 

 and eight asunder, on beds four feet wide. Cuttings 

 will quickly strike root in any of the summer months. 

 It delights in a moist soil, and new plantations of it 

 (particularly cuttings) should be well watered in a 

 dry time. Mint is to be had young all winter, and 

 early in spring, by means of a gentle hot -bed, on 

 which it should be set pretty close; and for a suc- 

 cession, make a new plantation every three weeks, as 

 the roots will perish in about that time. Or it may 

 be conveniently planted in pots, and placed in any 

 bed, and so shifted from one to another, if occasion. 

 Do not let this, or any other herb be badly dried, or 

 preserved, as is but too common a case. For present 

 use, gather only \heyoung leaves and shoots for any 

 purpose. 



MUSTARD is much used as asallad herb, gathered 

 quite young, and the white is the garden sort, the 

 black being cultivated in fields for its seeds to make 

 fleur of. It is managed as cress, which see, p. 267. 



NASTURTIUM, there is a greater and less, sort of, 

 both cultivated for their unripe berries to pickle, their 

 flowers for sallads and garnish, and as a garden orna- 

 ment ; but the large is that chiefly cultivated for cu- 

 linary purposes. Being climbers, they should have 

 something to lay hold of, as an arbour, or brush 

 wood, or nailed up with shreds to a wall. They are 

 of free growth, and flower abundantly for a long 

 time, even till the frost comes. Sow an inch deep, 

 in drills, in a light soil, and warm situation, in April 

 or sooner, if on a gentle heat, to forward them. It 

 is best to sow in a few small pots, holding each two 

 plants, from which they may be turned out whole 

 (before they get too big) in May ; though sometimes 

 they transplant without earth, about the roots, very 

 well. Give them plenty of air while under cover, 



