The Musk
Mimulus moschatus.
THE homely name of this very homely plant needs no explanation, but there appears to be a paltry question to be asked and answered in respect of the peculiar and, to a majority of noses, delicious odour it emits. This musky, or "Muscovy," essence is variously produced among plants by this mimulus, by the musk stork's-bill (Erodium moschatus), by the musk orchis (Herminium monorchis), and by the musk thistle (Carduus nutans). And, again, it is produced amongst animals by a rat, a deer, an ox, and perhaps by some other creatures. The question will occur, Is it in each case the same substance? Can the chemist detect any difference in the constitution of the musk from the plant and the musk from the animal? Or is our identification a delusion, and does the nose lead us astray in making things that are different appear to be the same? Whether the fragrant essence has ever been obtained from the plant in a separated form we do not know; but we cannot suppose there would be any difficulty in separating it were it needed, for fatty matters readily take up the most delicate and evanescent odours of flowers.
Although the common musk is to be found in every garden, its proper home seems to be the cottage window; and assuredly the cottagers appear to know best how to grow it, if we may judge by the huge buxom plants that we meet with in exhibitions of window flowers. The two important points in the growing of musk are to put the plants into fresh rich soil as soon as they begin to grow in spring, and to give them abundance of water. Having had occasion to grow a few large plants of musk at times, we have proceeded as follows:-A certain number of pots containing last year's plants are shaken out as soon as they begin to sprout in spring, and are potted in large pots only half filled with a mixture of equal parts of rotten hot-bed manure and fresh turfy loam. As the plants grow, fresh soil is added, until the pots are filled to within an inch of the rim, and then the pots are stood in pans containing always about one inch depth of water. A greenhouse or frame is the best place for them while making their early growth, and they must have abundance of light and air; but when the glowing summer has set in they may be anywhere out of doors, but should be in a sheltered nook, because a strong wind or the wagging of a dog's tail may seriously injure the frail growth, and spoil the plants for the season. A certain amount of support, in the way of neat stakes, must be provided, and the plants should be carefully trained; but they should never be trained out in a flat form, unless there is a special reason for it-a round bush-form being more natural and pleasing.
