HERBS AKD SMALL SALADS. 



53 



Seeds are sown in an open sunny situation from 

 March, until May to produce the summer supply, and 

 during the months of August and September to pro- 

 duce young leaves during the winter. It will thrive 

 in all soils, though highly -enriched deep loams give 

 the hest results. It is not customary to permit the 



plants to bloom where the green shoots and leaves 

 are greatly in demand. Its bright blue flowers are, 

 nevertheless, extremely pleasing, and a few plants 

 may, with satisfactory results, be permitted to do so. 



Capsicum. — This is the Latin name of certain 

 plants, called variously Guinea Pepper {Capsicum 

 annuum), Bell Pepper {Capsicum grossum), Cherry 

 Pepper [Capsicum cerasiforme), and Chili Pepper : 

 this last name being somewhat explanative of the 

 generic one. (French, Fiment ; German, Spanischer 

 Pf^ff^^'', Italian, Peberone). The species of Capsicum 

 generally cultivated is the somewhat tender annual. 

 Seeds should be sown during the month of ]\Iarch 

 each year, and be maintained in a warmth of be- 

 tween o8« and 60''. When the young seedling 

 plants attain to two or three inches in height, 

 divide and transplant them carefully into other 

 small pots. It is convenient to place four plants 

 around the inner side of very small pots. "WTien 

 these have made progress, and the roots are meet- 

 ing in the soil, remove the ball carefully, break it 

 into four divisions, each having a plant attached, 

 and give to each the final potting into thirty-two- 

 sized pots. The soil they delight in consists of a 

 moderately stiff fibrous loam, and about a sixth part 

 of decomposed manure added, with a sprinkling of 

 sand. Press the soil moderately firm in process of 

 potting. Thenceforward the plants must be main- 

 tained in f uU sunlight, and receive a regular supply 



of root-moisture. After the advent of the month of 

 June, they will do well in a cold frame, with the 

 lights kept somewhat close. 



During fine warm summers crops may be grown 

 in the open border. The seeds should be sown as 

 above about April 1, and grown on in small pots 

 similarly also till about June 1, at which time pre- 

 pare upon a warm site a rich bed somewhat elevated 

 above the mean level of the surrounding ground, 

 and transplant the young plants out six inches apart 

 thereon. Still more advantageous will it be to form 

 a bed with fermenting materials beneath before the 

 soil is placed wherein to plant them. They may 

 likewise, where the convenience exists, be planted 

 out into a bed of rich soil within a frame or pit. It 

 is important, however, to have the plants well ele- 

 vated, so that their heads, when growing, shall be 

 near to the glass. The small-fruited Red Chili is 

 somewhat hardier than the larger form designated 

 Capsicum, and should be used for out-door work. 



Many greatly improved forms exist, Monstrous 

 Red being very large. Other desirable varieties 

 are : — Prince of Wales (yellow) ; Princess of Wales 

 (yeUow) ; Long Red, Long Yellow, Xorcera Yellow, 

 Red Squash, Cayenne, Chili, and Little Gem 



Caraway {Carum Carvi). French, Carvi ; Ger- 

 man, Kummel ; Italian, Carvi. — The Caraway is a bi- 

 ennial plant, and indigenous in England. It is grown 



CaEAWAT. 



for use in soups, and occasionally the roots are used 

 in precisely the same manner as the Parsnip. 



Sow the seeds during the month of 3Iarch to pro- 

 duce strong plants with fine leaves for autumn and 

 for root-growth, and to produce seeds, which are also 

 desirable to sow during the month of August. Thin 

 the plants out to nine or twelve inches apart. A- 



