File:The field and garden vegetables of America (Page 618) (6002100111).jpg

618 MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES.
less sharply pointed, than those of the Squash-pepper; flowers
white, sometimes measuring nearly an inch and a half in
diameter.
The pods, which are remarkably large, and
often measure nearly four inches deep and
three inches in diameter, arc pendent, broad-
est at the stem, slightly tapering, and gene-
rally terminate in four obtuse, cone -like
points. At maturity, the fruit changes to
Ben-pepper. brilliant, glossy, coral red.
The Bell-pepper is early, sweet and pleasant to the taste,
and much less acrid or pungent than most of the other sorts.
In many places, it is preferred to the Squash-pepper for pick-
ling, not only because of its mildness, but for its thick, fleshy,
and tender rind.
In open culture, sow in May, in drills sixteen inches apart,
and thin the plants to twelve inches in the drills.
In England, they are pickled as follows : The pods are
plucked while green, slit down on one side, and, after the
seeds are taken out, immersed in salt and water for twenty-
four hours; changing the water at the end of the first twelve.
After soaking the full time, they are laid to drain an hour or
two ; put into bottles or jars ; and boiled vinegar, after being
allowed to cool, poured over them till they are entirely cov-
ered. The jars are then closely stopped for a few weeks,
when the pods will be fit for use. In this form, they have
been pronounced the best and most Avholesome of all pickles.
Bird-Pepper. / //.
Stem fifteen to eighteen inches high ; leaves very small ;
flowers white, about two-thirds of an inch in diameter ; pods
erect, sharply conical, an inch and three-quarters long, about
half an inch in diameter, and of a brilliant coral-red when