A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

MEL 375 M E N
'.
largest establishment will not require
more than four times as manv.
M E L O N, W A T E R . The Water
Melon is cultivated in the United States
or situation that is sheltered from the
meridian sun, is always to be allotted
them, as in such they are most vigorous
and constant in production. A com-
precisely like the Nutmeg.
many kinds, of which the
There are
INIountain
partment entirely secluded from the influence
of the sun is, however, equally
Sprout, Mountain Sweet, and Black unfavourable with one that is too much
Spanish are most esteemed at Philadelphia.
The culture is so simple, and
so generally understood, that direction
must be needless. To produce fine
exposed.
Time and Mode of Propagation.—
They arc propagated by parting the
roots in February or March, September
Melons on heavy or wet soil, it is ne- or October, and by slips or olfsets at
cessary to prepare a light rich compost the same seasons. The mints likewise
in sufficient quantity to supply the wants
of the vines— hills four or five feet in
may be increased by cuttings of the annual
shoots in May or June, as well as
diameter, and two feet in depth.
MELON PUMPKIN. CucurUta me-
by cuttings of the roots in spring or autumn.
For production of green tops
lopepo.
MELON THISTLE. Melocactus.
MELON TURK'S CAP. Melocactus
throughout the winter and early spring,
the spearmint is often planted in a hotbed,
and more rarely pennyroyal, every
cotnmunis.
MEMECYLON. Two species.
three weeks during
following months.
October and three
Stove evergreen shrubs. Young cut- Planting in the open ground at whattings.
Sandy peat and loam.
MENIOCUS linifolius. Hardy annual.
Seeds. Common soil.
MENISCIUM. Five species. Stove
Ferns. Dtvision or seeds. Loam and
ever seasons, or by whatever mode,
should if possible be performed in
showery weather, or water must be
given plentifully, especially to cuttings.
If propagated by divisions of the root,
peat.
M E N I S P E R M U M . Five spe-
they must be inserted in drills two
inches deep; if by slips or cuttings,
cies. Hardy deciduous or stove ever- they must be five or six inches in
green twiners. Division, cuttings, or
seeds. Common soil.
MENONVILLEA fiUfoUa. Hardy
length, and their lower half being divested
of leaves, planted to that depth
in every instance, being set in rows ten
annual. Seeds.
M E N T H A .
Light loamy soil.
Mint. Twenty-five
inches apart each way.
The only after cultivation required
species.
Division.
Hardy herbaceous perennials.
Common soil.
is the constant destruction of weeds,
which are peculiarly injurious.
Spear or Green Mint. M. vlridis. After July, the produce of green tops
Is employed in sauces and salads, as is of little value; they should therefore
well as dried for soups in winter. There be allowed then to advance to flower,
are two varieties, the broad and narrow which they will produce towards the
leaved, equally good.
beginning of September, when they are
Penny Royal. M. Pulegium. Is cul- in the fit state for gathering, either for
tivated for its use in culinary and phar- drying or distilling. In either case the
maceutical preparations. There are stalks should be cut just previously to
two varieties, the trailing, which is the flower opening. At the close of
usually cultivated, and the upright.
Peppermint. I\[. piperita. For dis-
September or beginning of October, the
stems must be cut down as close as
tilling, and the production of its pecu- possible, the weeds cleared entirely
liar oil and water.
Soil and Situation.—These plants are
away, and a little
spread over them.
fine fresh
The beds
mould
should
best grown on a tenacious soil; even a never be allowed to coniinue longer
clay is more suitable to them, than a than four years ; by constant gathering,
light silicious one. It should be mode- the plants not only become weakened,
rately fertile, entirely free from stag- but the roots becoming matted and
nant moisture, and consequently on a greatly increased, produce only numer-
dry subsoil or well drained. A wet ous diminutive shoots or entirely decay.
soil makes them luxuriant in summer. Forcing.—For Ibrcing, a moderate
but ensures decay in winter. A border hot-bed is necessary, earthed over about