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Subsect. 2. Vompwn and Gourd. — Cuao'hita L .; Momvc. Monad. L. and Cucur-
hitacea J. Counjc, F r.; Kürbis, Gcr.; Kauwoerde, Dutcli; Zucca, Ita l.; Calahaza,
Span.; and Abobaro, Port.
4115. The pompion and gourd tribe arc natives of India and tho East, all tender or
half-hardy annuals, but producing fruit in the open air in Britain in the wannest period
of our summers.
411C. Use. T h e fruit is used in soups and stews on the Continent and in Britam, also boiled or fried;
and extensively in America, not only a i above, b u t in pies and tarts. In the latter case, it is generally
mixed with apples. Pumpkin pie, Mr.Main faro labourers in
some parts of England. Crabs or wilding a ’ ’ ’ ' ’ ’
are stored by the cottager for winter u
all the edible Cucurbitaccge, boiled as gre
In Italy the llowers are fried, and are considered most excellent. {G a rd . Ma g ., vol. viii. p. 494.) For
r. iviani says, is a very common laro among country laoourers m
ng amilcs are always used along with the pumpkin, and both fruits
>e. T h e tender tops of the shoots of gourds and pumpkins, and of
eens or spinach, arc still more delicate as vegetables than th e fruit.
various modes of cooking gourds and pumpkins, see Gard. M a g ., vol. vii. p. 190.; vol. viii. p. 135, and 494.
4117. Species a 7id va rie tie s. These are numerous, b u t they may be all included under the following
s o rts ; which, according to some, are distinct species, and according to others, in part, only, varieties or
sub-species.
(1.) J 'h c p u jn p k in ,pw n p io n ,o r ,m o r c c o r vQ eX \Y ,p om p io n I,, is i5 t\\th e C.- Pepo . . . . L . {...P o tiro n ,. F . r.; .
PfebcnkUrhis,
G e r.); a native of the Levant, and introduced in 1570. This is the melon or millón of our early horticulturists,
the true melon being formerly distinguished by the name of musk melon. T ill about 1815
this was the principal plant of tho gourd kind cultivated in tfie British <• h. . . , .r,
__ as an ornament, aii d n_i At.1h ro.. Asle_ rot f AthUer t po or, in srtomc parts of Englam
pecially for pumpkin pie.
trdens; in those of the rich chiefly
a culinary vegetable, more es-
(2.) T u rb a n p um p k in , or T u r k 's cap {C. Pèpo var. clypeàtus ; G e ra um o n tu rb a n . P â tisso n , B o n n e t
d 'E le c te u r , o r A r tich a u t de J é ru sa lem , F r .; P a s tcn k iirb is , G e r .; and Zuc ca Ge rusalemme , Ital. Gard.
M a g ., vol. viii. p. 494.) ; cultivated chiefly for its singular form, but at th e same time an excellent vegetab
le. T h e plant does not spread so much as most of the other species of th e same family, which is a
great advantage for smal”l ggaa.r de.n .
(3.) The 7)ielon p um p k in , or squash {C. Melópepo L . ; Courge mclonée, F r. ; Meloncnkiirhis, Gcr.) ; a
native of the Levant, and introduced in 1.597. it is cultivated Uke the pumpkin, and the fruit is used in
pies, or gathered when of the size of a hen’s egg, dressed in salt and water, and sliced and served on a
toast, it is also used for pickling. In North America it is cultivated as an article of food.
(4.) The. large Am e r ic a n g o u rd , or m am m o th {C. Melopepo máxima L . ; P o tiro n ja u n e , F r .; and
Mcl07ienkiirbis, Gcr.). This is th e largest of all the gourds, being sometimes 160 lbs. in weight (see
Gard. M a g ., vol. iii. p. 352.) ; and one, grown a t Luscombe, near Exete r, having reached the enormous
weight of 245 lbs. ! { Ib id . vol. vii. p. 102. ) When the fruit is ripe, it will keep several months ; and it is
considered a good substitute for carrots and potatoes, cither in soups and broths, or as a vegetable to
meat. It is supplied in immense quantities by the market-gardeners round Paris to the hospitals of
th a t city.
(5.) The w a r te d g o u rd {C. verrucòsa) is a native of the Levant, and introduced in 1658. Its nature and
uses are the same as those of th e squash ; and, like it, it is cultivated in North America as an article of
food.
(6.) The bottle g o u rd , or fa ls e calabash {C. Lagenària), {R um p h . A m .
1 .144.) is a native of India, and introduced in 1597. Its culture and uses
are the same as those of th e last two sorts.
(7.) T he o ra n g e -fru ite d g o u rd {C. aurántia) is a native of Chili, introduced
in 1802, and ra th e r more tender than the common pumpkin. It
has been hitherto cultivated chiefly for curiosity, and when trained spirally
round a pole, or against a wall, and loaded witfi its yellow fruit, it is.very
ornamental. T h e fru it may be used like those of the other sorts.
(8.) The vegetable m a rro io {C. ovifera var. L . ; Courge à la moelle, F r . ;
M a r k ig e m e lo n cn k iirh is, Ger.) { fig . 785.) is one of the most valuable
varieties of this description of vegetable. It is useful for culinary purposes
in every stage of its growth, peculiarly tender and sweet, and the plant is a
great bearer. On th e whole, it is considered th e best of ail the sorts for
using in an unripe state, as the m ammoth is the best for using ripe, as a .substitute
for carrots and potatoes.
4118. C u ltu re applicable to a ll the species. T h ey a re propagated from seeds,
which are large, and require to be covered nearly an inch. “ Sow in April,
in a hotbed under a frame or hand-glass, to raise plants for transferring to
the open garden a t the end of May under a warm aspect ; or for planting
out in the middle of May on a trench of hot dung under a hand-glass or
half-shelter : otherwise sow, a t the beginmng of May, under a hand-glass
without bottom-heat, for transplanting into a favourable situation ; or sow
th ree weeks later (after th e 20th) a t once in the open garden, under a south
wall, for th e plants to remain. T h e smaller-fruited kinds do best trained
to an upright pole or trellis. From time to time earth up the shanks of the
plants. As the runners extend 6 ft. or more, peg down at a joint, and they
will take root. Water copiously whenever warm weather without showers makes th e ground a rid .”
{Abei-a-ombie.)
S u b s e c t . 3. Angelica.— Angélica Archangéìlca Ja. (F I Dan. t. 296.) ; Pent. D ig .Jj.
Umbellifero; J. Angélique, Er. ; Engelwürtz, Ger. ; Engelwortel, Dutcli ; Angelica,
Ital. and Port. ; and Angelica, Span.
4119. The angelica is a native of England, being sometimes found there in moist
situations, and of the northern countries of Europe. The whole plant is powerfully
aromatic. Though only a biennial, it may he made to continue sevcrai years, by cutting
over the flowcr-stem before it ripens seed ; in \idiich case it immediately pushes out
below. Considcrabie quantities of this plant are grown by the London gardeners iu
moist situations, and along the banks of ditches.
4120. Use. In Sweden and Norway, the leaves and stalks of this plant are eaten raw, or boiled with
meat and fish ; and the seeds, which are powerfully aromatic, are used to flavour ardent spirits. In France,
England, and Germany, th e tender .stems, stalks, and the midribs of the leaves, cut in May, arc candied
with sugar by the confectioners.
4121. P ro p a g a tio n a n d c ultu re . It delights in moist situations, or th e banks of running water ; but will
grow freely In any soil and exposure. The plants are raised from seed, and for a bed 4¿ fl. by 0 ft., sown
in drills 1 ft. apart, to bo transplanted, half an ounce of seed will be requisite. “ Sow in August, or as soon
as the seed is ripe, as th e plants will come up earlier and stronger than from a sowing in the spring.
When the plants are advanced from 4 in. to 6 in. high, transplant them into rows 2 ft. apart. They will
soon strike root, and advance quickly in strong growth. In the second year, th e ir strong erect branchy
stalks will be several feet high, producing large umbels of seed, ripening in autumn, which, as well as the
leaves of the plant, are used in medicine. But, for candying, the young shoots o fth e stems and stalks of
th e leaves are th e useful parts: being cut, while green and tender, in May and June, they are made by
confectioners into the sweetmeat callod Angelica. In the second year, if seed is not wanted, cut the
plants down in May, and the stool will send out side-shoots ; by repeating this practice every year, the
same plant may be long continued. Cuttings will also grow.” {A bercrombie.)
S u b s e c t . 4. Anise.— Pimpinèlla Anisum L., Tràgium Anisum ^px. (Blackw. t. 31 A.);
Pen t Trig. E. and Umbellifera; J. Anis, or Boucage, Er. ; Anis, Ger. ; Anijs, Dutch;
and Anice, Ital.
4122. The anise is an annual plant, a native of Egypt, and introduced to tliis country,
according to Turner, in 1551.
4123. Use. It is cultivated in Malta and Spain for its seeds, which are annually imported as medicinal,
and for distillation and expression. In this country, it is occasionally grown in the garden, to be used
as a garnish, and for seasoning, like fennel.
4124. Culture . The seeds require to be sown in April, in a warm border, in a dry light soil ; or raised
in pots on heat, and removed to a warm site in May, where it will blossom and ripen seeds in August in
favourable seasons. It does not bear transplanting, but the plants, when too thick, are to be thinned out
to 3 in. or 4 iu. distance.
Subsect. 5. Coriander.— Coriúndrum sativum L. (Eng. B o t 67.); Pentdnd. Dig. L.
and Umbellifera; J. Coriandre, Er.; Koriander, Gcr. aud Dutch; axià Coriandro,
ItaL
4125. The coriander is a hardy annual plant, originally introduced from the East, but
now naturalised in Essex and other places, where it has long been cultivated for druggists
and confectioners. The whole plant is highly aromatic.
4126. Use. In private gardens,
it is cultivated chiefly for the tender leaves, which are used in soups
and salads. On a large scale, it i.
cultivated for the seed, which is used by confectioners, druggists, and
distillers, in large quantities.
4127. Culture . The plant delights in a sandy loam. It is raised from seeds, whicb may be sown in
February, when th e weather is mild and dry ; and the quantity requisite for a bed 4 ft. wide by G ft. in
length, to be sown in rows, is half an ounce ; and when sown m drills they may be 9 in. apart, and the
seed buried half an inch. “ W here a constant succession is required, small successive monthly sowings
will be necessary in spring and summer, as the plants in those seasons soon ru u to seed. There should
be also small sowings in August and September, to stand th e winter under th e defence of a frame. The
plants are to remain where sown.” {A be rc rom bie .)
S u b s e c t . 6. Caraway.— CàrumCàruiJj. (Eng. B o t \593.) ; Pentándria Trigÿnia J.,.
and Umbelliferce J. Carvi, Fr. ; Kümmel, Gcr. ; Kerwey, Dutch ; Carvi, Ital. ; and
Alcaravea, Span.
4128. The caraway is a biennial aromatic plant, a native of England, being occasionally
found in meadows and pastures.
4129. Use. The plant is cultivated chiefly for th e seed, which is used in confectionaryand in medicine.
In spring, th e under leaves are sometimes put in soups ; and in former times the fusiform roots were
eaten as parsneps, to which Parkinson gives them the preference. In Essex, large quantities of the seed
are annually raised for distillation with spirituous liquors.
4130. Culture . It is raised from seed, of which a qu arte r of an ounce is sufficient for a sced-bed 4 ft.
by 5 ft. Sow annually, in autumn, soon after the seed is ripe ; the seedlings will rise quickly, and should
be thinned to 1 ft. distance each way. In default of sowing in autumn, sow in March or April, either in
drills or broadcast ; but the plants so raised will not in general fiower till the followingyear. When the
seed is ripe, tho plant is generally pulled up in gathering, especially in field culture.
S u b s e c t . 7. Hue.—Ruta gravèolens L. (Lam. III. 345. t. 1 .) ; Decan. Monog. L. and
Rutàceoe J. Bue, Fr. ; liaute, Ger. ; Buite, Dutch ; liuta, Ital. ; and Iluda, Span.
4131. The rue is a perennial evergreen under-shrub, a native of the south of Europe,
but cultivated in this countiy since 1562, and probably long before.
4132. Use. T h e leaves arc sometimes gathered as a medicinal simple, and are also given to poultry
having th e croup. In former days, it was called the herb of grace, from th e circumstance of small
bunches of it having been used by the priests for the sprinkling of holy water among the people.
4133. Cullure . It is easily propagated by seeds, cuttings, or slips of th e young shoots, in March, April,
or May, planted in a shady border. T h e plant delights in a poor, dry, calcareous soil, in which it will
continue for many years; and if cut down occasionally, always in full leaf and well furnished with young
shoots. Letting it ru n to seed weakens th e plant and shortens its longevity.
S u b s e c t . 8. Hyssop. — Jiysshpus officinalis L. (Jac. Aug. 3. t. 254.); Didynàmia
Gymnos. L. and Labiàtæ J. Hysope, Fr. ; Jsop, Gcr. ; Hissop, Dutch ; and Isopo,
Ital.
4134. The hyssop is a hardy evergreen under-shnib, a native of the south of Europe,
and introduced in 1548. The whole plant has a strong aromatic odoui*.
4135. Use. T h e leaves and young shoots are occasionally used as a potherb, and th e leafy tops and
flower-spikes are cut, dried, and preserved for medicinal purposes.
4136. The fareriA's are —
The « hito, hluo, and red flowered ; hut the blue iá the original colour, and most cnmmonlj' cuUivatod.
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