O R I 



O R I 



There are varieties with white flowers and 

 Ii<2;ht-"'reen stalks; with purple flowers and with 

 variegated leaves; which is sometimes cultivated 

 in sjardens, under the title of t'ot Marjoram, used 

 in soups. 



Tlie second species has the habit of Sweet 

 Marjoram, but it is woodv : the stems woodv, 

 perennial, a tout and half high, branched, spreid- 

 ing with long hairs : the leaves small, sub-;essile, 

 ?cale, thinlv serrate, tonicntose on both sivlcs ; 

 with rudiments of branches from the axils ; the 

 spikes heaped, as in the third sort, but oblong, 

 hv threes on each peduncle, the middle ones 

 sessile, villose : the liowers are white, appearing 

 in July. It is a native of Sicily. 



The third has a biennial, brown root, with 

 manv long tough fibres : the stems numerous, 

 woody, branched, a foot and half high -. the 

 leaves are downy, entire, pale green, pctioled : 

 the flowers small, white, appearing successively 

 between the bracteal leaves, which are nume- 

 rous, and form roiuidish compact terminating 

 spikes. It begins to flower in July, when it is 

 cut for use, and called Knotted Marjoram, from 

 the flowers being collected into roundish knot- 

 ted close heads. It is probably a native of China. 



The fourth species has a perennial root, from 

 which arise many branching stalks a foot and 

 half high, hairy, and inclining to a purplish 

 colour : the leaves ovate, obtuse, hairy, gTeatly 

 resembling those of Sweet Marjoram, on short 

 foot-stalks : the flowers in spikes about two 

 inches long, several arising together from the 

 divisions of the stalk : the flowers are small, 

 vhite, peeping out of their scaly covers. It 

 grows naturally in Greece, &c. 



It is at present commonly known by the name 

 of Winter Sweet Marjoram, but was formerly 

 called Pot Marjoram, being chiefly used for 

 nosegays, as coming sooner to flower than 

 Sweet Marjoram. 



There is a variety with variegated leavss. 



The fifth is a perennial plant with a low 

 shrubby stalk, seldom rising more than a foot 

 and half high, dividing into branches: the 

 leaves roundish, thick, woolly, hollowed like 

 a ladle ; they are like those of common Marjo- 

 ram, but of a thicker substance, and have much 

 the same scent: the flowers are produced in 

 roundish spikes, closely joined together at the 

 top of the stalks, and at the end of the small side 

 branches ; they are of a pale flesh colour, peep- 

 ing out of their scaly coveriiigs. It is a native 

 of Egypt, flowering from June to August. 



The sixth species is also a perennial plant : 

 the stalks hairy, about nine inches high, of a 

 purplish colour, sending cut small branches 

 6 



from the sides by pairs : the leaves round, thick, 

 woollv, very white ; the whole plant has a 

 piercing aromatic scent, and biting taste : the 

 flowers are collected in loose leafy heads of a 

 purple colour, nodding, and small. It is a na- 

 tive of the island of Candia, flowering from 

 June to August. 



Culture. — The four first sorts may be readily 

 increased by slips, cuttings, and parting the 

 roots, and in the first and third sorts also by 

 seeds. 



The seed should be procured fresh from the 

 seed-shops, and be sown in the early spring 

 months, as IVlarch or the fcjllowing month, on a 

 bed or border of good light mould, raking it in 

 lightly. When the plants are up and have at- 

 tained a few inches in grov^th, they should be 

 planted out during moist weather, in a warm dry 

 situati(jn, in rows ten or twelve inches distant, to 

 remain, water being given occasionally till they 

 become perfectly rooted. When the plants are 

 designed for the borders or clumps, the seeds 

 may be sown in patches where the plants are to 

 remain. 



The roots of the strongest plants may be 

 parted so as to have some root- fibres to each in 

 the early autumnorspring season, and be planted 

 out in rows in the same manner as those raised 

 from seed; havino- the same management after- 

 wards till fresh rooted. The slips or cuttings 

 of the branches should be taken oft' in the sum- 

 mer, and immediately planted out where the 

 plants are to remain. 



All the sorts should be afterwards kept per- 

 fectly clean from weeds during the summer sea- 

 son, and in the autumn have the decayed stalks 

 cleared away, loosening the mould about the 

 plants ; and when in beds, digging the alleys and 

 throwing a little of the earth over the beds. 



When necessary the plants may be removed 

 into the pleasure ground, with small balls of 

 earth about their roots, either in the autumn or 

 early spring. 



The other tender kinds may be increased by 

 planting slips or cuttings of the young shoots, 

 in the spring and summer months; in the 

 former season in pots of light earth, plunging 

 them in a mild hot-bed, but in the latter either 

 in pots or warm shady borders ; water being 

 immediately given and occasionally repeated in 

 small proportions, being covered down by hand 

 glasses in the latter case, to expedite their root- 

 ing; being removed, when the plants begin to 

 shoot at the top. In the autumn the plants may 

 be removed into separate small pots, and after- 

 wards treated as the more hardy plants of th« 

 green- house kind. 



