A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

M U S 389 MUS
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made : it will shortly spread through
the whole texture of the slabs, if kept
in a warm dry place, when eacli may be
together. The spawn to be inserted
when they are half dry.
Quantity required.—One bushel of
broken into four pieces, and when quite
dry laid on shelves—separate, and not
spawn is required for a bed five feet by
ten; two bushels for one double that
in heaps, otherwise a bed will be formed
for the spawn to run in. Mr. Wales
length; and so on in proportion.
MUSK-FLOWER. Mimulus mosrecommends
the composition to consist chata.
of three parts horse-dung without lit-
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MUSS.T.NDA. Eight species. Stove
ter, two of rotten tree-leaves, two of evergreen shrubs. Cuttings. Loam and
cow-dung, one of rotten tanners' bark,
and one of sheep's dung, mixed to the
consistency of mortar, and moulded in
peat.
MUSTARD. Sinnpis alba.
Soil and Situation.— It succeeds best
sinall frames like those used by brick- in a fine rich mouldy loam, in which the
makers, six inches long, four broad, supply of moisture is regular ; it may
and three deep. Three holes to be rather incline to lightness than tenacity.
made half through the bricks, an inch If grown for salading it need not be
apart, with a blunt dibble, for the re- dug deep; but if for seed, to full the
ception of the spawn. They should be depth of the blade of the spade.
put on board for the convenience of In early spring, and late in autumn,
moving abroad during fine days, as they
must be made perfectly dry, which they
the situation should be sheltered ; and
during the height of summer, shaded
often appear to be on the outside when
they are 'ar otherwise internally. Before
they are perfectly dry they require
Treat care in handling and turning, from
from the meridian sun.
Time and Mode of Sowing.—For salading,
it may be sown throughout the
year. From the beginning of November
their aptitude to break; but in about to the same period of March, in a gentle
three weeks, if dry weather, when per- hot-bed appropriated to the purpose,
fectly exsiccated, they become quite
firm. To pervade them with the spawn,
in one already employed for some other
plant, or in the corner of a stove. From
a layer of fresh horse-litter, which has the close of February to the close of
laid in a heap to sweeten as for a hot- April it may be sown in the open ground,
bed, must be formed, six inches thick, [on a warm sheltered border, and from
in a dry shed. On this a course of the thence to the middle of September in
bricks is to be laid, and their holes a shady one. Both the white and black,
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completely filled with spawn ; and, as for seed, may be sown at the close of
the bricks are laid in rows upon each March, in an open compartment. For
other, the upper side of each is to be salading, it is sown in flat-bottomed
scattered over with some of the same, drills, about half an inch deep and six
The bricks are not placed so as to touch, inches apart. The seed cannot well
so that the heat and steam of the dung be sown too thick. The earth which
covers the drills should be entirely divested
of stones. Water must be given
occasionally in dry weather, as a due
supply of moisture is the chief inducement
to a quick vegetation. The sowings
are to be performed once or twice
in a fortnight, according to the demand.
Cress {lepidium .lativuin) is the almost
constant accompaniment of this saladherb;
and as the mode of cultivation
for each is identical, it is only necessary
to remark that, as cress is rather
tardier in vegetating than mustard, it is
necessary, for the obtaining them both
in perfection at the same time, to sow
may circulate equally and freely. The
heap is to terminate with a single brick,
and when completed, covered with a
layer, six inches thick, of hot dung, to
be reinforced with an additional three
inches after a lapse of two weeks. The
spawn will generally have thoroughly
run through the bricks after another
fortnight. If, however, upon examination
this is not found to be the case,
they must remain for ten days longer.
The bricks being allowed to dry for a
few days before they are stored, will
then keep for many years.
Mr. Oldaker recommends the bricks
to be tnade of fresh horse-droppings,
be added one-third of cow-dung and I a
small portion of earth, to cement them I
it five or six days earlier.
It must be cut for use whilst young,
mixed with short litter, to which must
and before the rough leaves appear,
otherwise the pungency of the flavour