CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
359 
MARTYNIA (Martynia proboscidca) 
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 open, 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 a 
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. 
