PEPPERS. 209 



fruit resembles a tomato but is about the size of a cherry and is 



enclosed in a husk formed of the 

 calyx. The seed is dark colored, flat 

 and round. The fruit is used for pre- 

 serves and sauces. 



Culture— It is a plant of the earli- 

 est culture and when once sown gen- 

 erally covers the ground in following 

 years from self sown seed. The seed 

 should be planted about the first of 

 I^Iay. The plants spread about thirty 

 inches. 



PEPPERS. (Capsicum annuum.) 



Native of South America. — Peren- 

 nial, but in cultivation grown as an 

 annual. — There are many varieties, 

 differing chiefly in the shape of their 

 fruit. All of them have erect, 

 branching stems, which become al- 

 most woody. The leaves are spear- 

 shaped; flow^ers, white, star-shaped, solitary in the axils of the 

 leaves; fruit generally hollow with a somewhat fleshy skin, at 

 first dark green, but when ripe turning yellow, red or dark 

 violet. The seeds are flat, and, like the flesh of the pods, have 

 a very acrid, burning taste, for which the plant is cultivated and 

 used in giving flavor to pickles, etc. Their germinating power 

 lasts about four years after being separated, but if left in the 

 pods they will keep much longer without injury. 



Culture. — Peppers need practically the same cultivation as 

 the tomato or egg plant, except that they may be planted two 

 feet apart, in rows three :'eet apart. 



Varieties vary much in the shape of the pods and the acridity 

 of their juice. The kinds most commonly grown are as follows: 



Figure 107— Grctrnd Cherry 

 or Strawberry Tomato. 



Ruby King. — Fruit very large, bright red. smooth, mild fla- 

 vored and proliflc. The best for general use. 



