The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Part 82

This differs from the Common Tansy in the frilled or curled character of the leaves, which have some resemblance to the leaves of the finer kinds of Curled Cress or Parsley. They are of a rich green color, and are sometimes employed for garnis.h.i.+ng. In the habit of the plant, color of the flowers, odor and flavor of the leaves, the variety differs little, if at all, from the Common Tansy. It is more beautiful than the last-named; and, in all respects, much more worthy of cultivation.

Propagated only by dividing the roots.

LARGE-LEAVED TANSY.

Leaves larger than those of any other variety, but much less fragrant.

It is of little value, and rarely cultivated.

VARIEGATED-LEAVED.

A variety with variegated foliage. Aside from the peculiar color of the leaves, the plant differs in no respect from the Common Tansy: it grows to the same height, the flowers are of the same color, and the leaves have the same taste and odor.

It must be propagated by dividing the roots; the variegated character of the foliage not being reproduced from seeds.

THYME.

Thymus.

Two species of Thyme are cultivated for culinary purposes,--the Common Garden Thyme (_T. vulgaris_) and the Lemon or Evergreen Thyme (_T.

citriodorus_).

They are hardy, perennial plants, of a shrubby character, and comparatively low growth. They are propagated from seeds and by dividing the roots; but the finest plants are produced from seeds.

Of the Common Garden Thyme, there are three varieties:--

BROAD-LEAVED.

The Broad-Leaved Thyme is more cultivated in this country than any other species or variety. The stem is ten or twelve inches high, shrubby, of a brownish-red color, and much branched; the leaves are small, narrow, green above, and whitish beneath; flowers purple, in terminal spikes; the seeds are black, and exceedingly small,--two hundred and thirty thousand being contained in an ounce; they retain their vitality two years.

_Propagation and Cultivation._--When propagated by seeds, they are sown in April or May, thinly, in shallow drills ten or twelve inches apart.

When the plants are up, they should be carefully cleared of weeds, and thinned to eight or ten inches apart, that they may have s.p.a.ce for development. They may be cut for use as soon as they have made sufficient growth; but, for drying, the stalks are gathered as they come into flower.

If propagated by dividing the roots, the old plants should be taken up in April, and divided into as many parts as the roots and tops will admit. They are then transplanted about ten inches apart, in beds of rich, light earth; and, if the weather be dry, watered till they are well established. They may be cut for use in August and September.

_Use._--The leaves have an agreeable, aromatic odor; and are used for flavoring soups, stuffings, and sauces.

NARROW-LEAVED. _Mill._

The stalks of this variety are shorter than those of the Broad-leaved; the leaves also are longer, narrower, and more sharply pointed; and the flowers are larger.

It is propagated, cultivated, and used as the Broad-leaved.

VARIEGATED-LEAVED.

A sub-variety of the Broad-leaved, with variegated foliage. It is generally cultivated as an ornamental plant; and is propagated only by dividing the roots, as directed for the Broad-leaved.

LEMON THYME. _Loud._

Thymus citriodorus.

A low, evergreen shrub, with a somewhat trailing stem, rarely rising more than six or eight inches high. It is readily distinguished from the Common or Broad-leaved by the soft, pleasant, lemon-like odor of the young shoots and leaves.

It is used for flavoring various dishes, and by some is preferred to the Broad-leaved.

The species is propagated from seeds by dividing the roots, and by layers and cuttings. Seedling plants, however, are said to vary in fragrance; and, when a choice stock can be obtained, it is better to propagate by dividing the plants.

CHAPTER IX.

LEGUMINOUS PLANTS.

American Garden-bean. Asparagus-bean. Lima Bean. Scarlet-runner. Sieva.

Chick-pea. Chickling Vetch. English Bean. Lentil. Lupine. Pea. Pea-nut.

Vetch, or Tare. Winged Pea.

AMERICAN GARDEN-BEAN.

French Bean. Kidney-bean. Haricot, of the French. Phaseolus vulgaris.

The Common Garden-bean of the United States is identical with the French or Kidney Bean of England and France, and is quite distinct from the English or Garden Bean of French and English catalogues.

The American Garden-bean is a tender, annual plant from the East Indies, with a dwarfish or climbing stem and trifoliate leaves. The flowers are variable in color, and produced in loose cl.u.s.ters; the seeds are produced in long, flattened, or cylindrical, bivalved pods, and vary, in a remarkable degree, in their size, form, and color,--their germinative powers are retained three or four years.

As catalogued by seedsmen, the varieties are divided in two cla.s.ses,--the Dwarfs, and the Pole or Running Sorts.

_Dwarfs._--The plants of this cla.s.s vary from a foot to two feet in height. They require no stakes or poles for their support; and are grown in hills or drills, as may suit the taste or convenience of the cultivator.

All of the varieties are comparatively tender, and should not be planted before settled, mild weather. They succeed best in warm, light soil; but will flourish in almost any soil or situation, except such as are shaded or very wet.

When planted in drills, they are made about two inches deep, and from fourteen to twenty inches apart. The seeds are planted from three to six inches apart; the distance in the drills, as well as the s.p.a.ce between the drills, being regulated by the habit of the variety cultivated.

If planted in hills, they should be three feet apart in one direction, and about two feet in the opposite. If the variety under cultivation is large and vigorous, four or five plants may be allowed to a hill; if of an opposite character, allow twice this number.

_To raise Seed._--Leave a row or a few hills entirely unplucked. Seed is of little value when saved at the end of the season from a few scattered pods accidentally left to ripen on plants that have been plucked from time to time for the table.

BAGNOLET.