CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 359 



MARTYNIA (Martynia proboscidea) 



501. Importance. — This annual is a native of the 

 southwestern United States. The coarse plants have a 

 spreading habit and produce fruit of the peculiar shape 

 shown in Figure 86. The young tender fruits are used 

 to a very limited extent for pickling. 



502. Culture. — Sowings 

 are sometimes made in 

 the opeUj but it is much 

 better to start the plants 

 in hotbeds or greenhouses. 

 They are tender to cold 

 and thrive best in warm 

 soils and sunny exposures. 

 The plants should be set 3 

 to 4 feet apart each way. 



MINT (Mentha) 



503. Importance. — Pep- 

 permint, Spearmint and 

 Japanese Mint are aro- 

 matic herbs, grown to ? piQ. gg. martynia 

 limited extent in American 



gardens. Peppermint is used in confectionery and medi- 

 cine and occasionally for seasoning. Spearmint is popu- 

 lar as a flavoring herb. 



504. Culture. — Plants are readily propagated from 

 seed, cuttings or division of roots. In home gardens, the 

 seeds are often sown in beds and the plants allowed to 

 spread at will. Results are more satisfactory by sowing 

 shallowly in drills 12 to 18 inches apart, and thinning to 

 3 or 4 inches apart in the row. Any moist, fertile garden 

 loam will grow good plants. 



