MINT—YET LITTLE KNOWN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 103, 12 April 1933, Page 15

MINT—YET LITTLE KNOWN

Mint takes its name from Mintlie, who loved Pluto, and was said to be introduced into England by the Romans. All the different varieties have the qualities of preventing milk from curdling, and for this reason herbalists recommend it to persons who live on milk diets. The two following quotations are many years old.—“ Eat Betoyne Mynts prepared in honey, use herbs grace in thy wine.” —April, “Ranis’ Little Dodoen, 1606.” “Mintes put into milk, it neyther suffereth the same to curde, nor to become thick, insomuch that laved in curded milke, this would bring the same thinne again.”—“The Good Housewife's Handmaid, 1568. ’ ’ The mint bed should have all the old wood and twigs cut down periodically with the shears and be dressed with three inches of well-rotted manure. Unless this is done mint impoverishes the soil and in the course of time the sprigs grow smaller and smaller < The right sort of mint is about 15 inches high with strong succulent stems and abundance of broad, fresh chan green leaves, full of clean, aromatic qualities whMi have made the plant famous. Such can never be grown on soil that has become impoverished. Where mint refused to respond to any treatment, the ' roots should be lifted, divided and replanted in fresh, rich soil. Hany people grow this crop in old boxes or tubs, which is a splendid idea, as the soil can be renewed every year.