MUSHROOM MUSTARD. 275 



ful in bringing the plants forward earlier than they 

 would otherwise be, and thus cause them to arrive 

 at maturity before the autumnal frosts overtook, 

 them. The level, sandy region, reaching from Long 

 Island to the Chesapeake, is the most famed for mel- 

 ons of ahy district m the United States, though ex- 

 cellent ones are grown in the slates farthet south. 

 Melons, cucumbers, squashes, pumpkins, &c., should 

 never be planted in the vicinity of each other. 



MUSHROO.M. 



Few persons will be disposed to engage in the 

 culture of this article ; and as it is with some diffi- 

 culty the plants fit for culture are distinguished from 

 those which are decidedly poisonous (toadstools), 

 except by experienced individuals, they may be 

 passed over, remarking merely that the process of 

 cultivating the mushroon is singular and curious, and 

 that ample details may be found in Bridgeman and 

 Loudon for growing it in hotbeds or otherwise. 



MUSTARD. Sinapis. 

 There are two kinds of this vegetable cultivated, 

 the white and the black, both natives of Europe, and 

 growing spontaneously in many places. The white 

 produces the largest seed, and a pure sweet oil is 

 made from it to a considerable extent. It is also 

 used as a medicine ; and, when potted with pickles, 

 the seed imparts an agreeable ilavour, and renders 

 them more salutary. The condiment found on all 

 our tables, called mustard, is prepared from the seed 

 of the black mustard, and, like the other, is by many 

 considered useful in giving tone to the stomacli. 

 The mustard, when young and tender, is an excellent 

 herb for greens ; and, when cultivated, may be sown 

 in drills in rich, clean ground in April or May. 



NASTURTIUM. TropcEolum. 

 This plant is chiefly valued for its beiTies, which, 



