452 GARDENING FOE THE SOUTH. 



third year take up the crop as soon as the leaves are fully 

 decayed, and dry the roots thoroughly. In shallow or 

 poor ground, it will not succeed. 



Mint (Mentha). — Three species of this genus of Labiate 

 plants are cultivated, all hardy perennials, natives of 

 Britain. 



Spearmint (Mentha vifidis) belongs rather to the culi- 

 nary than the medicinal department of the garden. It is 

 employed in sauces and salads, as well as dried for soups 

 in winter. A few sprigs of mint, boiled a little time with 

 them, and then withdrawn, are thought by some to im- 

 prove the flavor of green peas. Its is also used in pre- 

 paring mint-julep. Its medicinal properties are aromatic, 

 stimulant, and stomachic. The leaves, boiled in milk, 

 are useful in diarrhea. Its infusion is good to prevent 

 nausea. There are two varieties — the broad and narrow- 

 leaved — equally good. 



PErPERMiNT (M. piperita) has a strong, agreeable odor, 

 a pungent, aromatic taste, giving a sensation of coldness 

 in the mouth. Its medical properties are aromatic, stimu- 

 lant, and stomachic. The essential oil and essence are 

 the forms in which it is employed in medicine, and they 

 are also largely used in confectionery and cordials. 



Pennyroyal (M. Pukgium) is more acrid than the 

 other mints, and its taste and smell are less agreeable. It 

 possesses their warm, pungent flavor, and other general 

 properties, but is not so good a stomachic. The American 

 pennyroyal belongs to a different genus, Hedeomd. 



All these species require a tenacious soil, which is all 

 the better if moist, or even wet. 



A border sheltered from the midday sun, but not en- 

 tirely secluded from its influence, is always to be allotted 

 them, as in such a situation they are most vigorous and 

 constant in production. 



They are readily propagated by dividing the roots in 



