128 Southern Gardener's Practical Manual 



feet high; Melting Sugar, which grows about five feet, 

 and Mammoth Luscious, which attains a height of five 

 to six feet and requires strong support. This strain of 

 peas is liked by some, but is not generally popular. The 

 peculiar, rather sickening sweet taste is not relished 

 by many. 



PEPPER 



A member of the solanum family, a native of the 

 tropics and hence requires a warm season in which to 

 grow. It will thrive on any fertile soil, and requires 

 about the same conditions and cultivation as the egg- 

 plant, already described. If an early crop is desired, 

 the seed may be forwarded in a box a foot deep, in 

 which fermenting manure is placed to generate a bottom 

 heat, or they may be planted in a flat four inches deep 

 filled with rich loam and kept protected from cold. 

 These devices will answer, in the absence of a hotbed or 

 greenhouse. If the seeds are sown under any of these 

 conditions in February and, when the plants are large 

 enough to be handled, transplanted to a coldframe, they 

 will be ready for transplanting to the open ground as 

 early as the soil is warm enough to receive them. Only 

 a few plants will be needed to furnish all a family can 

 use, unless it is desired to cultivate several different 

 types. Some of the varieties are very ornamental when 

 in full fruitage, and are often found in the flower yard 

 or the greenhouse. 



A new variety of extra -large size is Chinese Giant, 

 prized for salads and mangos. The rind is thick, mild 

 and sweet. 



