VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 357 



Marketing.— The heads are cleaned arid all discolored 

 leaves are taken oft*. Pack in crates with the heads down 

 and well pressed together to prevent injury to the vege- 

 table. 



MARJORAM. — (Origanum Unites and 0. Marjorana.) 



There are four species, two of which are sufficient for 

 the garden. 



Pot Marjoram (O. (J)titc.s) is a perennial Labiate plant 

 from Sicily. It is propagated generally by dividing the 

 roots early in the spring, and may be by seed. Plants 

 should be set in rows twelve inches apart, and ten inches 

 in the row, in a light, dry soil, and a warm situation. 



Sweet Marjoram (0. Marjorana) is a tender biennial 

 commonly grown as an annual; a native of Portugal, and 

 has been cultivated in England since 1573. It has small, 

 acute leaves, and flowers in small, close heads. Sow in a 

 slight hot-bed early in spring, and transplant when the 

 frosts are over into rows nine inches apart and six inches 

 asunder in the row; or it may be sown in shallow drills 

 in the open air after the ground becomes warm. As the 

 seed is small, cover lightly with fine earth and thin out 

 the plants to the proper distance. The leaves, green or 

 dried, are used for seasoning soups, stuffings, etc. 



MELON, CANTALOUPE VARIETY.— (Cucumis Melo.) 

 The Melon, or Muskmelon, is a tender, trailing annual, 

 of the same family as the cucumber, squash, etc. It is sup- 

 posed to be from Persia, but has been cultivated in all 

 warm climates so long that it is difficult to assign, with 

 certainty, its native country. It has been cultivated in 

 Southern Europe at least four hundred years. It is the 

 richest and most delicious of all herbaceous fruits. In 

 England its culture is a difficult and expensive process, 

 but in this country the most luscious melons are raised 

 almost without trouble. 



