166 THE MANSE GARDEN. 



the soil. In preparing seedlings for transplanting, 

 they may be cropped as to the leaves ; but the tap- 

 root must not be touched, but let down at full length, 

 leaving the upper part of the roof a little above the 

 surface of the ground, according to the natural growth 

 of the plant. The fittest season is in showery wea- 

 ther, and when the seedlings are the thickness of a 

 writing quill. From this crop a profusion of leaves 

 may be gathered for cows in the course of the sum- 

 mer without injury to the growing plants. 



Marjoram. Three sorts of this are cultivated. 

 That called pot is perennial, and is propagated by 

 cuttings or slips. Of sweet marjoram, the seed, 

 which is imported, not ripening in this country, must 

 be sown every year, as the plant is biennial, and not 

 ready for use in the first year of its growth. The 

 flowers are gathered in July, and dried in the shade. 

 Winter sweet marjoram is perennial. It is propa- 

 gated by parting the roots in autumn, and requires a 

 dry bed and good shelter. All three belong to the 

 trashy tribe of culinary articles used not for food 

 but pernicious sauce. 



Melon Great chieftain of the fruit race, though 

 usually ranked with the productions of the kitchen 

 garden. The varieties, it seems, amount to nearly 

 a score, of which three fourths are cultivated and 

 variously recommended. To the less knowing they 

 are nearly all one, having still the flavour and form 

 peculiar to the melon. No sooner is the crust broken 

 than the red gold appears, and the sweetest perfumes 

 are exhaled. The odour is itself a feast to the nerves 

 of the delicate who may feast no further; and to the 

 strong a premonition that they are in danger. The 



