198 



MELON, 



' The WINTER SWEET MARJORAM is tlic O. Heracleatictm^ 

 a hardy perennial, a native of Greece. The leaves of this 

 species resemble those of O. marjorana ; but the flow- 

 ers come in spikes. It flowers from June to November, 

 requires a sheltered, dry soil, and, seldom ripening its seeds^ 

 is propagated by slips and cuttings. 



The COMMON MARJORAM is the O. viilgare^ a native of 

 Britain. It bears a considerable resemblance to the last 

 named species. The flowers arise in vsub-rotund panicles, in 

 smooth, coloured spikes, of a reddish appearance, in July and 

 August. This species is only used in cookery, in default 

 of the others. 



Culture. — The three first species prefer a light, dry soil ; 

 the other a calcareous soil and shady situation. For a seed- 

 bed, three feet by three feet, a quarter of an ounce of seed 

 is sufficient. Sow in April, on a compartment of light 

 earth, either in sm^all drills, or broad-cast; or, sow a portion 

 in a hot-bed, if requisite to have a small crop forwarded. 

 When the plants are one, two, or three inches high, thin 

 the seed-beds, and plant those thinned out in a final bed,, 

 six inches apart, giving water ; or, where larger supplies 

 are required, some may remain thick where sown, to be 

 drawn off by the root as wanted. The pot^ winter^ and 

 common marjoram may be propagated from offsets, by part- 

 ing the roots in spring and autumn. Plant in rows in beds, 

 allowing a square foot for each plant. 



Gather the tops of all the sorts as wanted for summer 

 use ; and when in full blossom, in July or August, for 

 preservation through the winter. 



Use. — All the species, but especially the three first, are 

 aromatics, of sweet flavour, much used as relishing herbs in 

 soups, broths, stuffings, &c. The young, tender tops and 

 leaves together, are used in summer, in a green state ; and 

 they are dried for winter. — Abridged from Encyc, of Gard, 



MELON. Cucumis melo^ and CucurUta citrullus, — ■ 



There are but two species, the melon with a rough or em- 

 broidered coat, called musk-melon, {cucumis melo^) and the 

 melon with a smooth skin, called water-melon, (cucurbita 

 citndlus.) Of each of the species there are many varieties. 

 Mr. Russell's Catalogue contains the following : — 



CCICUMIS MELO. 



Green citron, [ Jinest varidy,) 



Murray's pine apple^ 



Persian, 



Nutmeg", 



Minorca, 



I^arge cantaleupe^ 

 Pokiegranite. 



CUCURBITA CITRULLUS. 



Carolina water, 

 Long Island do. 

 Apple-seeded do [early,) 



