438 THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



of any other kind of Mint. The Pennyroyal prefers stiff moist 

 soils. It is propagated by division, and a plantation of it will last 

 for several years. The leaves are used for seasoning puddings and 

 various dishes. It is seldom seen in English kitchen-gardens. 



CAT-MINT 



Nepeta Cataria, L. LabiatCB, 



French, Menthe de chat. 



Native of Europe. — Perennial. — A tall plant, with erect branch- 

 ing stems about 3^- ft. high. Leaves stalked, oval or heart-shaped, 

 notched at the edges, and whitish on the under-surface ; flowers 

 white, in terminal clusters composed of small heads which are wide 

 apart at the bottom, but become more crowded towards the top ; 

 seeds brown, smooth, ovoid, with three well-defined angles. Their 

 germinating power lasts for five years. It is easily raised from 

 seed sown in spring or autumn in lines, which should be 20 in. apart, 

 as the plants attain a considerable size. They require no attention, 

 and will last for several years, if the ground is kept free from weeds. 

 The leaves and young shoots are used for seasoning. 



MUGWORT 



Artemisia vulgaris^ L. Composites. 



French, Armoise. German^ Beifuss. Dutch, Bijvoet. Italian, Santolina. 



Native of Europe. — Perennial. — An exceedingly hardy plant, 

 forming very long-lived tufts or clumps. Leaves dark green on the 

 upper surface, whitish underneath, pinnate, with oval-lanceolate seg- 

 ments, the lower ones stalked, the stem-leaves sessile and auricled ; 

 stems from 2 to over 3 ft. high, red and furrowed ; flower-heads 

 small, green, in large, erect, pyramidal, irregular clusters on the 

 ends of the stems and branches ; seeds very small, oblong, gray, 

 and smooth. Their germinating power lasts for three years. 



CULTURE.—Exactly the same as that of Wormwood {see 

 Wornrwood). 



Uses. — The leaves have a strong, bitter, aromatic taste, and are 

 sometimes used for seasoning. 



MUSHROOMS 



Agaricus campestris^ L. Fungi. 



French, Champignon comestible. German, Schwamm. Flemish and Dutch, 

 Kanrpernoelie. Italian, Fungo pratajolo. Spanish, Seta. 



The cultivated Mushroom is the same kind as that which grows 

 naturally in meadows and pastures, and in the wild state is known 



