154 GARDEN PLANTS. TART II. 



There are a great many varieties of Capsicum grown in 

 India, some of which are very ornamental when grouped 

 together, and bearing their crops of pods of different shapes and 

 colours some orange, some bright red, some pale amber, 

 and some purple-black. One in particular bears a remarkably 

 beautiful fruit, fully of the size of a large lemon, perfectly 

 smooth, and of a fine amber-like appearance. 



Seeds may be easily procured from England, where the 

 seedsmen's lists contain as many as from ten to fifteen kinds ; 

 and among them one, called the " Sweet Spanish," mild enough 

 to be used in salads. 



For culinary purposes, however, only two are required in 

 the garden : the common country kind, Ldl-murich, and the 

 very small sort called Bird's-eye. The latter is of a most fiery, 

 pungent nature, and is used principally for making Chilli-vinegar. 



The seed may be sown at any time of the year. The plants 

 bear fruit at all seasons ; they do well in any common garden 

 soil, and thrive best in a shady spot. 



Solanum tuberosum. 



POTATO. 



Aloo. 



The varieties of Potato cultivated in Europe are very nume- 

 rous. In this country there do not appear to be more than 

 four or five varieties ordinarily met with, and those not of very 

 high character, the best being the red, but rather rare, kind 

 called the Eed Californian. The introduction of some of the 

 finer varieties from Europe would be very advantageous : they 

 are generally ready for taking up there by the end of August ; 

 and if sent out about that time overland to this country 

 they would arrive just at the proper season for putting in the 

 ground. 



In this country, however, where Potatoes may most commonly 

 be obtained from the bazar, it is doubtful whether it be worth 

 while to cultivate them in the garden, whence the produce can 

 be so easily stolen without detection. 



The time for planting Potatoes is towards the end of October. 

 It is the general practice in this country to put them in the 

 ground whole. Drills are made two feet apart, and three or 



