60 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN. 



common in that country and quite well known in the 

 Southern United States. 



Many of the kinds of Capsicum are more or less em- 

 ployed either in pickles or in the raw or cooked state, 

 the milder sorts being much preferred by northern con- 

 sumers and the more pungent ones by the southern people. 

 They are sliced and either mixed with salads or served like 

 tomatoes with vinegar and salt. The thick-fleshed bell- 

 shaped and squash varieties are much used as mangoes. 

 These are made by cutting the fruit down one side, remov- 

 ing the seed, and filling with chow-chow pickles. The 

 parts are then tied together and the whole placed in jars 

 or cans containing vinegar where it remains until wanted. 

 Some of the medium-sized pungent varieties are eaten by 

 native Mexicans in the raw state, the same as radishes, i 

 am told by a reliable firm, who manufacture pepper sauce, 

 that in Spain some of the large sweet varieties, which with 

 us are often stuffed and baked, are canned after being 

 cooked in olive oil, and are then eaten with French salad 

 dressing without further cooking. In this condition, 

 too, the fruit is often employed in stuffing pitted olives. 



Aside from its value as a food and a medicine, Capsicum 

 has been recommended as an insecticide when used in con- 

 nection with tobacco-paper,* but inasmuch as the operation 

 was not a success without the latter it is probable that 

 tobacco was the essential ingredient. The seed is consid- 

 ered a very healthful bird food, and is used to some extent 

 for that purpose. 



In Europe, some varieties, such as Little Gem and Prince 

 of Wales, are grown considerably for decorative purposes, 

 especially in pots, under glass. 



The culture of the pepper is comparatively simple. It 

 does not require special care and yet quickly responds to 

 any particular attention which may be given it. A warm 

 and moderately light soil that does not quickly dry out 

 appears to be the best. The seed generally requires from 



* Gard. Chron. 150. 1852. 



