1884.] 
AMERICAN GARDEN. 
TAKEAGON. 
A rieiii isla Dracunculns. 
A hardy horbaoeous, pGroiinial plant, eul- 
tivatod for its foliago, which has a pleasant, 
peculiar, aromatic llavor. In Europe tho 
plant lias bcoii cultivated for coiituries, and 
with tho Erench it is —under tho name 
Jisti-agon — ono of the most favored herbs. 
The peculiar flavor of the French mustard is 
derived from this herb. Its young shoots 
are used for flavoring salads, soups, pickles, 
and dishes of various kinds, as we use Celery 
or Parsley loaves. Tarragon vinegar, a very 
convenient article for flavoring salads, is 
made by placing tho fresh leaves in comi’non 
vinegai* for a few days, and tlien straining 
tho liquid. 
Being perfectly hardy, when once planted 
Tarragon requires no further care than to 
keep tho ground around it clean and loose. 
It is propagated by division of tho roots, and 
thrives in any good garden soil. 
EOSEMAEY. 
Itosmarinus officinalis. 
There was a time when no garden was 
without its Rosemary, wliieh is one of the 
oldest plants found in cultivation. It was 
formerly used for seasoning various dishes, 
but now is but rarely employed for this pm’- 
pose. Tho most valuable part of the plant 
are its flowers; from these an essential oil 
is distilled, which forms an important in- 
gi-edient of Cologne Water and other per¬ 
fumeries. 
The plant is a low-growing, half-hardy, 
evergreen bush, a native of Southern Eu¬ 
rope. It should be planted in a somewhat 
sheltered position, and receive light winter 
protection. 
BUSH BEANS. 
Under this name are included all the low- 
growing varieties, termed in diflierent cata¬ 
logues as Dwarf, Snap, String, or Bush 
Beans. Bush Beans usually produce the 
best results when grown in a deep, moder¬ 
ately enriched, light soil. Very rich soil has 
a tendency to cause them to run to vine, to 
the manifest injmy of the crop. They are 
very sensitive to cold and wet; it is therefore 
useless to ijlant them before the weather has 
become settled and the ground warm. After 
the fli’st sowing, sow every ten days until the 
end of August, in order to obtain a succes¬ 
sion, in perfection; but it is well to remem¬ 
ber that for the first sowings one should 
choose the warmest and most sheltered situa¬ 
tions he has at his command. . ' 
Bush Beans should bo sown in drills two 
inches in depth, the drills being at least 
two feet apart. Drop the Beans tlu'ee inches 
apart, and do not cover them more than two 
inches deep; keep the gi'ound clean and 
free from weeds at all times by frequent 
hoeings, but be very careful to hoe only 
when the vines are perfectly dry, as dirt, 
or even dust, scattered on tho foliage when 
wot or damp, will cause them to rust, and 
thus seriously injure the crop. In hoeing 
draw a little earth to the roots at each time, 
but bo careful not to hill them up very 
high. 
The Wax or Stringless varieties of Bush' 
Beans are fast becoming universal favorites, 
and deserv'edly so, for when pure they are 
the best of the Bean family, being entirely 
free from strings, tender, and of a beautiful 
vsuior. 
1 •■'i .1 Wax Beans are 
dcmdedly objected to by Lome persons on 
account of retaining their yellow color when 
tab rtiief ’ lA-om'od for the 
^iWo. lo those who have not grown Wax 
Beans I would say, give them a trial 
season, and I am confident that you will 
never regret it. 
There are many varieties of Busli Beans 
enumerated in the catalogues of our .seeds¬ 
men but for amateurs, a limited number is 
the b^t 
Jiarb, Mohawk.-^ valuable variety on ac¬ 
count of Its hardino.ss, standing a slight frost 
TARRAGON. 
without sustaining the least injury, and for 
this reason is extensively planted for the 
first crop. The vines are of strong, \'igorons 
growth and very ijroduetive, and if the young 
pods are often gathered, w'ill continue a long 
time in bearing. The pods are long and flat 
and, if gathered early, are tender and of 
good quality. 
Early ValenUnc .—One of oui' most popular 
and Avell-known sorts, and one that will be 
ready for table use in about sLx weeks from | 
the time of planting. The vines are of \fig- 
orous growth, but the pods are smaller in 
size, and it is not as productive as the Early 
for table use in about seven weeks from the 
time of planting. Pods thick and fleshy. 
This variety is considered to be the best for 
pickling as well as for the latei- crops. 
Ifoyal Dwarf Kidney is one of the best late 
varieties, a)id as a shell Bean for winter use 
it has no superior. The vines are of vigor¬ 
ous growth and remarkably productive. The 
pods bear some resemblance to the Early 
Mohawk in shape and size, the Beaus 
when dried being of a pure white and of 
a kidney shape, from which fact its name 
is derived. 
Hlaeh fVax is a gr’eat favorite with most 
persons. The vines are of dwarf but vigor¬ 
ous growth, and are remarkably productive; 
tho round, wax-like, yellowish, transparent 
pods being thick and fleshy, they may be 
used as snaps until fully gi-own, as they are 
even then perfectly stringless. It is as early 
as the Early Valentine, being ready for the 
table in about seven weeks from the time of 
planting. 
Ivory J’od Wax is a variety of recejit iutro- 
diiction and one of gi-eat merit. The vines 
are of vigorous gro^vth and remarkably pro¬ 
ductive. The pods are long, of a transparent 
white waxy color, and entirely stiingless 
until fully white. As a snap Bean this is 
superior to all others in tendemess. It is 
also the very best as a shell Bean for winter 
use, the Beans being of medium size, oval 
shape, and of a piu-e white color. 
Chas. E. Paknell. 
j 4 f k . 
If 
SUMMEE EAUISHES. 
Outside of om- large cities and their vicin¬ 
ities this class of Radishes is comparatively 
little Imowm; yet, to those fond of this 
piquant relish, they form a valuable link 
between the early-forcing and the wfinter 
varieties. All are larger, somewhat stronger 
in flavor, and of slower growth than tho 
common kinds, requiring six weeks or more 
before they become fit for use. 
They need rich, mellow,- rather sandy 
soil for their best development, and may bo 
sowm in succession at any time from early 
spring till September. Tplpw Turnip., Golden 
yellow Turniji-sliapcd, a,n§?^livc-sliapcd Golden 
Summer are tho varieties most frequently 
found in cultivation ; but none of these have 
pleased us so much last summer as the new 
Yellow Perfeelion Sadish. Grown alongside of . 
the varieties named above, it -was not only of 
better quality, but I’etained its crispness 
longer than the others, without becoming 
stringy. 
All Summer Radishes should be finely 
sliced and lightly salted for about half, an,' 
horn- before eating them. This will dimmish 
their pungency considerably. • • . 
ROSEMARY. 
Mohawk. The pods are round and fleshy, 
and when j'oung of very good quality. 
Newington Wonder .—A remarkably produc¬ 
tive variety, the vines remaining gi'een longer 
than those of any other sort. The pods, 
which are produced in clusters or bunches, 
are small, but when young are crisp and of 
good quality. The vines are of dwarf or 
medium gi’O'wth, and on this account as 'well 
as its productiveness, it is highly prized as 
the best variety for forcing. 
liefugee.—A very popular and well-known 
sort, tho 'vines being of 'vigorous growth, 
hardy and productive, and one that is ready 
SDMMEE TEEATMENT OF ASPAEAGUS. 
Continuing the cutting of tho stalks too 
late in the season is the most frequent cause 
of Asparagus beds running out. A good rule 
to go by is to stop cutting as soon as the 
Strawberries are ripe. Then the rows should 
be thoroughly cleared of weeds, the ground 
•well forked over, but not so deep as to touch 
tho roots, and a liberal amount of yard ma¬ 
nure worked under lightly. Composted fer¬ 
tilizers are best, but it does not matter 
much what kind is used, if there is only 
enough of it, for you cannot hurt Asparagus 
with too much manure. 
