August 3. 
j 348 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
I cany at the commencement of the 17tli century, for Father 
Magazzini of Valombrosa, in a work on Tuscan agriculture, 
published in 1623, after his death, gives directions as to its 
cultivation, which he alludes to as being then habitual, hav¬ 
ing been introduced from Spain and Portugal by the bare¬ 
footed Carmelite monks. 
Professor Targioni, led into error by the insertion of the 
Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum), in the first floras of 
Cochin-China and Amboyna, considers it as a native of 
India, as well as of Peru, and expresses, therefore, some 
surprise that it should have been unknown to the ancients. 
But, if ever found wild in the Eastern Archipelago, it is 
only as spread from cultivation, for it is now ascertained to 
be exclusively of Peruvian origin, and was not known in 
Europe till after the discovery of America. It appears, how¬ 
ever, to have preceded the more useful maize and potato, 
for Mattbioli mentions its introduction in liis,days, that is, 
in the commencement of the 10th century. It was first cul¬ 
tivated rather for ornament than for food, which may, per- 
; haps, explain its more rapid introduction. 
The Melanzane or Petonciani (Solanum Melongena, Au¬ 
bergine of the French, the Egg-plant* or Bringall of the West 
[ Indies) is most probably a native of Asia or Africa, although 
l the precise original indigenous form has not as yet been 
satisfactorily made out. Many of the supposed botanical 
species of the most recent mon'ographist are mere cultivated 
varieties, and their connection with allied forms stated to be 
wild in India or in America requires much critical investiga¬ 
tion. Its cultivation in Italy cannot have been extensive- 
before the discovery of America. It is indeed generally 
supposed to be referred to by Theophrastus under the name 
of Stryclmos, by Avicenna under that of Bedangian, and 
especially by St. Hildeguarda, Abbess of Bingen, who died 
in 1180, under that of Megilanti , yet the identity is in no 
case placed beyond doubt, and requires collateral proof to be 
derived from the botanical and geographical investigation of 
the original wild type of the species. 
There is still greater uncertainty as to the real native 
country of the Capsicum or Hot-pepper (Capsicum annuurn, 
Peperoni of the'Italians, Piment of the French), now so 
universally spread over all tropical countries. Although 
long known under the name of Indian Pepper, it appears not 
to be indigenous in Asia, and there is no authentic record of 
its cultivation in Europe before the discovery of America. 
It is said to be really wild in that continent, Csesalpin and 
Clusius, late in the 10th century, both speak of it as intro¬ 
duced from thence. Yet, in the time of Matthioli, early in 
the same century, and consequently at a period when very 
little of the natural productions of the New World had been 
transplanted to the.Old, we find at least three varieties well 
established and abundantly cultivated in Italy under the 
name of Indian Pepper, which is hardly probable if it had 
been really introduced from America, then so recently 
discovered. 
A curious instance of the slowness with which the use of 
culinary vegetables is spread, is afforded by the large green 
mild variety of Capsicum, which is so much eaten over a 
great part of Spain and some of the adjoining French 
departments. It was carried by the Spaniards into Naples 
during their dominion in the 10th and 17th centuries, and 
has ever since remained in common use there without 
spreading further. In Tuscany it is scarcely known, except 
as an object of curiosity in botanical gardens. It makes an 
excellent salad, having all the flavour of the capsicum with¬ 
out the slightest pungency. 
(To be continued .) 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
*** We request that no one will write to the departmental writers of 
Tiie Cottage Gardener. It gives them unjustifiable trouble and 
expense. All communications should be addressed “ To the Editor of 
The Cottage Gardener, 2, Amen Corner, Paternoster Row, London .” 
Vines in Pots (Querist).— The warty appearance is a sort of fungus, 
generally produced by deficient drainage, though sometimes the best 
* This name is generally given in our gardens to the short white-fruited 
variety which we grow merely as an object of curiosity. It is the long 
purple-fruited variety that is so much cultivated in the south as an article 
of food. 
drainage will not cure it. The other matters will be referred to ere long, 
merely stating just now that both plans may be right, according to the 
system adopted ; the aim should be to concentrate organised matter into 
the space definitively left. 
♦ 
Vines (A Sufferer). —We must think over your letter. At first sight 
there seems something mystical about it. 
Pits (A Tradesman). —Excuse delay. Your case will meet consi¬ 
deration. 
Pits ( A New Subscriber).— Nothing new, but your case will receive 
more consideration. 
Orchard House (J. C. L.). —The liot-water pipes for top heat must 
certainly not be below the surface of the soil. 
Pot Pourri ( Jane D.). —If you will purchase our 62nd Number, you 
will find three recipes for making this. You can obtain the number for 
threepence of Messrs. W, S. Orr and Co., Amen Corner. 
Studies for a Young Gardenbr (W. and Co.).—There can be no 
doubt that the most useful study for gardeners is Botany—physiological 
as well as systematic. Next to this, the elements of Geometry , and 
Mechanics, and so much of Drawing as will enable them to sketch out 
plans to a scale. The late Mr. Loudon published a very useful work 
upon these subjects, entitled “ The Young Gardener’s Self-Instructor,” i 
or some such name. 
Poisoned Chickens (.4. M.). —We have consulted Mr. Tegetmeier, j 
and lie agrees with us in opinion that without seeing the chickens, and j 
knowing more about their treatment^ no satisfactory conclusion can be 
drawn. 
Jungle Fowl — Turtle-Dove.— “ W. • B. D. would be glad to know 1 
of any of our readers where he can procure a male bird of the Ceylon 
Jungle Fowl that is true bred; and whether a cross has been tried | 
between the wild Turtle Dove and the French-white one. If so, with 1 
what success as regards plumage, whether whole coloured after either I 
parent, or with mixed plumage.” 
To distinguish Old from Young Guinea Fowls (Sarah). —We I 
should certainly advise your adoption of some private mark to denote the 
ages of your several birds. Full-grown Guinea fowls, indeed, without 
some distinction of this kind, are, with difficulty, recognised one from 
another. Age would usually give a coarser appearance to the legs and 
crest, but this would be hardly sufficient to rely on.—W. 
Tobacco Drying (J. S . L.).— If you refer to our 282nd Number you 
will find very full directions. 
Botany (J. M.).— Commence by reading Henfrey’s Rudiments of 
Botany. 
Names of Plants (Oscar). —Your plants first sent are only two varie¬ 
ties of the common Pink. Your hardy border plants are as follows—1 and 
2. Campanula pumila, purple and white variety. 3. Campanula grandis. 
4. C. Rapunculoides. 5. Helianthemum vulgare. 6. (Enothera glauca. • 
7. Petunia phcenicea. 8. Erigeron philadelphicum. 9 . Pyrethrum Par- ! 
thenium plenum. 10. Lobelia erinus. 11. Geranium pheeum. 23. 
Campanula traebpelium. 24. Tradescantia virginica. The Pansies we 
cannot name, but they are of very good stamp, whether seedlings 
or otherwise, and all worth cultivating. We wish all our correspondents 
would send their specimens so nicely, with all the information they could 
give of them, as in your case, it would save us much valuable time and 
trouble. (Linda).— Your’s is the true Canadian Poplar (Populus Cana¬ 
densis). You can readily distinguish it from P. monilifera by the gum on 
the buds, and by the underside of theleaves, which are lighter than in any of 
this section which they refer to Populus niger. P. monilifer'a produces six 
times more cottony down on the catkins than this species, and casts it off 
six weeks or two months earlier in the season. The Canadian was the 
most favoured tree till within the last forty years, when it was dis¬ 
placed by the Black Italian (P. monolifer a), which is a much faster- 
growing tree, and spreads wider in the head. (A Subscriber , E. H.). — 
We never heard of “ The Australian Vinegar Plant.” The common 
Vinegar Plant, or Fungus, is fully described at p. 94 of our vol. ii. 
London : Printed by Harry Wooldridge, Winchester High-street, 
in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William 
Somerville Orr, of Church Hill, Walthamstow, in the County of 
Essex, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of Christ 
Church, City of London.—August 3rd, 1854. 
