< 
» 
TO THE VEGETABLE-GARDEN. 95 
PER rKT. 
WATER-MELON (Cucurbit a Citrullus). 
German, Wassermelone. — French, Melon d’Eau. — Spanish, Sandia. 
The Water-melon is purely a tropical fruit, greatly appreciated for its refreshing coolness 
and delicious flavor. 
Culture. — They require a light, sandy soil, not over rich. Plant them in hills, as directed 
for Melons, giving them more loom, as their vines extend much farther. The seeds should be 
two years old before planting. If they are wanted of a large size, three or four fruit from each 
plant will be sufficient; and, when one fruit only is taken, they will grow to from twenty to 
thirty pounds’ weight each. 
Mountain Sweet. A large, long, oval variety; skin striped and marbled with different 
shades of green; flesh scarlet, and quite solid to the centre; very sweet and delicious. 
A fine market sort. Per oz., 10 cts.5 
Mountain Sprout. Resembling the preceding, but is earlier. A favorite market-sort. Very 
fine quality, and productive. Per oz., 15 cts..6 
Black Spanish. Form oblong; size large; skin very dark or blackish green; flesh deep-red, 
fine-grained, very sugary, and of excellent flavor. Hardy and productive; one of the 
best for general cultivation. Per oz., 15 cts.5 
Orange. Form oval, of medium size; flesh red, not fine-grained, but tender, sweet, and of 
good quality. When in its mature state, the rind separates readily from the flesh, in 
the manner of the peel from the flesh of an orange. Per oz., 25 cts.10 
Citron. Employed in making sweetmeats and preserves; form round, medium size; flesh 
white, ver- °olid. (See engraving.) Per oz., 20 cts..6 
Apple-seeded, rather small, nearly round sort; derives its name from its small, peculiar 
seeds. Flesh bright red to the centre, sweet, tender, and well-flavored; keeps a long 
time after being gathered. Per oz., 40 cts.. .10 
MUSHROOM SPAWN. 
In Europe, the Mushroom has long been an article of very common cultivation; while in 
this country, although it is so generally esteemed, very little attention has been paid to its arti¬ 
ficial culture. It may be easily grown in a dry cellar or shed free from frost, or on beds out of 
doors. Short manure, fresh from the stable and dry, is the most suitable for forming the beds, 
it should be prepared by shaking well apart, and laying it in a conical heap; this should be re¬ 
peated several times, at intervals of three or four days, until it has parted with its rank odor 
and burning quality, and is so tempered ns to maintain an equable heat of about sixty degrees 
after the bed has been made up. In this operation, care should be taken that the manure does 
not become over-heated before each turning over. When in the proper condition, make it into a 
bed about eighteen inches high, and any convenient width, beating down the manure in the pro¬ 
cess of building, so as to make a firm, solid bed; after which, cover with four inches of light, 
loamy soil. In a week or ten days, the bed will he in a suitable condition for planting the 
spawn, which should be broken into pieces about the size of a hen’s egg, and inserted, about 
six inches apart, a little below the surface. This done, cover the whole six inches thick with 
dry, clean, sweet hay. The mushrooms may be expected to appear in four to six weeks. 
By mail 8 cts. per lb. extra. 
MUSTARD (Sinapis Var). 
German, Seuf. — French, Moutard. — Spanish, Mostaza. 
Mustard-seed is too widely known and appreciated to need description. It is useful both In 
its natural state and manufactured, and is considered wholesome in all its various methods of 
preparation. It is very refreshing when in its green state, mixed with salads, aud for that pur¬ 
pose alone is worthy of cultivation. 
Culture. — This salad is cultivated in the same manner as recommended for Cress, — at all 
times of the year, sowing every week or two either in beds or drills, or, for early use, in hot¬ 
beds, or boxes in the windows of a warm room. The seeds should be covered very slightly, and 
frequently watered, as moisture is indispensable to its growth. 
Black. For culinary use. For oz., 10 cts.. 6 
NASTURTIUM (Tropasolum). 
German, Kresse Indianische.— French, Capucine Orande. —Spanish, Capuchina. 
There are many curious varieties of the Cress, though none so beautiful as the common Nas¬ 
turtium. It has a sharp, warm taste, and is frequently used in salads. The seeds, while young 
and tender, are pickled in vinegar as a substitute for capers. 
Culture. —Sow the seed thinlv, in rows or patches an inch deep. They will thrive almost 
anywhere, if the ground is rich. They are peculiarly adapted to trellis-work, aud form a rich, 
showy appearance. 
Tall Yellow. Per oz., 20 cts....6 
