342 MUSTARD AND CRESS. 



the honour to state, that on the 19th of January, nine boxes having 

 been prepared, of about two feet in length, one in breadth, and four 

 inches in depth, two inches of soil were laid in them, which was ob- 

 tained from the roots of mosses found upon the land of Northum- 

 berland Sound ; mustard and cress seed sown over the surfaces, and 

 covered -with a light sprinkling of fine mould. The boxes were placed 

 in the main hold, in the vicinity of the Sylvester warming apparatus, 

 where the temperature ranged from 60 to 70, and the soil kept moist 

 by water warmed to a temperature of 80, and delivered through a 

 rose fixed with a spout upon the side of a preserved meat tin : it re- 

 quired watering about four times a day. 



2. On the 31st of January (thirteen days after sowing) the first crop 

 was obtained and issued generally to the crew, affording about one 

 ounce to each person ; the soil was then cleaned and invigorated by 

 the addition of a little fresh mould, and more seed sown. 



3. The crops generally became fit for cutting in about a fortnight, 

 depending upon the temperature that could be preserved, and on an 

 average yielded between four and five pounds, and, although yellow 

 from the absence of light, and less erisp and palatable than when 

 grown under favourable circumstances, was generally greatly esteemed ; 

 and, in the absence of fresh vegetables, much sought after by the ship's 

 company. Crops were thus obtained up to the end of April, the seed 

 consumed being mustard, 31bs.; cress, 31bs.; and the quantity pro- 

 duced, about 30 Ibs. 



4. On the 20th of June, a box having been prepared of about six 

 feet in length, two in breadth, and one in depth, soil was made by 

 mixing together a sandy mould, brought from Greenhithe, with that 

 obtained on the land at the winter quarters, and placed over a layer of 

 straw and coal ash in the box to the depth of four inches, when some 

 early York cabbage-seed was sown over one-half and spinach-seed over 

 the other, and lightly covered with mould : large panes of glass were 

 put over the top, and the box placed on the side of the hill of Mount 

 Beaufort, about thirty feet above high-water mark. An embankment 

 was raised around the box to protect it from cold winds, and every at- 

 tention paid to obtain a satisfactory resiilt, the soil being kept moist 

 by water raised to about 60. 



5. On the 27th of June (eight days after sowing) the plants began 

 to show themselves, and from this time to the ship's leaving Northum- 

 berland Sound, on the loth of July, made rapid progress, their tops 

 reaching up to the under surface of the glass; they were then pulled 



