214 GARDENING. 



rupting the ordinary avocations of the persons using 

 it. It may be useful to remark, that, to have the 

 full benefit of this nutritious and curative vegetable, 

 the spring and summer sowings should be made 

 every month, and that those of the latter should 

 have a shaded or northern exposition, as otherwise 

 they will run rapidly to seed. 



THE SQUASH is a species of the cucurbita, and 

 seems to be the link that connects the melon with 

 the pumpkin. According to Millar, this species is 

 very inconstant in its appearance, rarely preserving 

 the same form three years in succession, sometimes 

 taking that of a shrub, and at other times that of a 

 vine. Our own experience does not warrant this 

 reproach.* The Bush and the Bell varieties appear 

 to us to be sufficiently distinct, nor have we noticed 

 any proneness in them to exchange characters. 

 With regard to soil and culture, those which are 

 fittest for the pumpkin are also most propitious to 

 the squash. 



THYME (Thymus) is of a species embracing not 

 less than twenty varieties, but one of which (the 

 common or cultivated) comes within the plan of 

 our work. This is generally found in gardens, 

 sometimes in tufts, and sometimes in rows; but, 

 however placed, always growing best in poor, light, 

 and warm soils. In those which are cold, stiff, or 

 moist, it does not thrive ; its branches become rag- 

 ged, its leaves few, its flowers faded, and their pe- 

 culiar aroma is less strong. When cultivated under 

 circumstances more propitious, it requires a change 

 of place every fourth or fifth year. All the parts of 

 this plant, but particularly the calix of its flower, 

 yields an essential oil, yellow and odorous, and 



* The pumpkin and the squash seem to be first cousins, and 

 consequently will intermix, and produce an infirm progeny. 

 They should be kept apart. The vegetable marrow is a new 

 and superior variety ; good both in its green and matured state, 

 whether for summer or winter use. J. B. 



