238 EGG-PLANT, PEPPER, AND TOMATO. 



is generally sold by weight ; and an acre of land, in a fair 

 state of cultivation, will yield three tons, a bushel of the 

 thick-fleshed sort weighing nearly thirty-two pounds. An 

 excellent pickle may be made by preparing the peppers in 

 the manner directed for the Bell variety. 



As grown by different market-men and gardeners, there are 

 several sub-varieties of the Squash-pepper, differing both in 

 form and in the thickness of the flesh ; the latter quality, 

 however, being considered of the greater importance, as the 

 thick-fleshed sorts not only yield a greater weight to the acre, 

 but are more esteemed for the table. 



The Squash-pepper succeeds well when sown in the open 

 ground in May, in drills fourteen inches apart. The plants 

 should be ten or twelve inches apart in the rows. When grown 

 too closely, they are liable to draw up, making a weakly, 

 slender growth, and yield much less than when allowed suf- 

 ficient space for their full development. Low-growing, 

 stocky, and branching plants are the most productive. 



Sweet Moun- This variety resembles the Large Bell, if 

 it is not identical. The Sweet Mountain 

 may be somewhat larger ; but, aside from this, there is no 

 perceptible difference in the varieties. 



Sweet Spanish. Fruit obtusely conical, often four inches 

 in length, and nearly three inches in diame- 

 ter, brilliant glossy scarlet at maturity ; stem strong and 

 sturdy, two feet or more in height ; fruit sometimes erect, 

 but generally drooping. 



Though one of the largest varieties, the Sweet Spanish is 

 also one of the earliest. The flesh is sweet, mild, and pleas- 

 ant, and the variety is much esteemed by those to whom 

 the more pungent kinds are objectionable. When prepared 

 in the same form, it makes a pickle equally as fine as the 

 Large Bell. , 



