158 GARDEN PLANTS. PART II. 



LAMIACE^B. 



Mentha viridis. 



MINT SPEAKMINT. 



Podeena. 



The Mint of this country appears to be a different variety, if 

 not a different species, from the well-known herb of that name 

 of the English gardens. The Indian Mint has a roundish crimped 

 leaf, not longer than broad ; very deficient in flavour, especially 

 when cooked. The true English Spearmint has leaves compara- 

 tively smooth, and, as its name denotes, lance-shaped, more than 

 twice as long as broad. I brought down plants of this latter 

 kind from Ootacamund and introduced them into my garden at 

 Chinsurah, where they throve vigorously. But I found that the 

 herb lost in course of time the full strength of scent and flavour 

 which it possessed when grown in the hills, and became no better 

 for culinary use than the common Indian kind, which I had 

 displaced for it. 



The plant is most easily propagated by division of the roots. 

 Every sprig nearly will strike, if planted in a damp, shady 

 situation. 



Mentha piperita. 



PEPPERMINT. 



Peppermint in habit and appearance much resembles common 

 Mint. It thrives well in this country, delighting in a good soil 

 and a shady situtation. It is easily propagated in the Cold season 

 by setting out in the ground sprigs, pulled off from the plants, 

 with a small portion of root attached to them, and keeping 

 them well watered and shaded till thoroughly established. 



Meriandra Bengalensis. 



BENGAL SAGE. 



This herb is in general use in Lower Bengal for culinary pur- 

 poses under the name of Sage, for which, however, it is rather 

 an indifferent substitute. It has much larger leaves, but its 

 appearance is sufficiently similar to lead a casual observer to 

 mistake it for the true Sage of the English gardens. It is easily 

 propagated by division of the roots. 



