Book I. GARDEN-CRESS, AMERICAN CRESS. 661 



and flowers in March. Gerrard tells us, that foreigners using it while in England, led 

 to its being cultivated in our gardens. 



4033. Use. It is used in salads through winter and early spring ; both as a substitute 

 for common lettuce in those seasons, and to increase the variety of small salads. For 

 these purposes it has long been a favorite plant in France, under the denomination of 

 mache, doucette, salade de chanoine, and poule grasse. 



4034. Propagation. It is raised from seed, of which a quarter of an ounce is sufficient for a bed four 

 feet by five. 



4035. Times of sowing. " To answer the common demand, two or at most three sowings will be suffi- 

 cient, viz. a principal sowing at the beginning or towards the middle of August ; a secondary sowing early 

 in September, to furnish together crops in winter and early spring; and a smaller sowing in spring, the 

 close of February or course of March, if the plants are required in continuation throughout that season 

 though they are apt to get rank-ta6ted in warm dry weather. If wanted throughout summer, sow once 

 a month, and cut the crop quite young." 



4036. Culture. " Sow in any bed of common mellow earth, broad-cast, and rake in the seed. When 

 the plants are up, thin them two or three inches asunder, that they may have room to acquire some small 

 stocky growth for gathering." 



4037. To save seed. " Leave some plants in spring; they will produce seed in July or August." 

 (Abcrcrombie.) 



Subsect. 9. Garden-Cress. — Lepidium sativum, L. (Zorn. Ic. 16.) Tetrad. Silic. L. 

 and Crucifera?, J. Cresson, Fr. ; Gemeine Kresse, Ger. ; and Crescione, Ital. 



4038. The garden-cress is a hardy annual plant, cultivated since 1548 ; but its native 

 country is unknown. The cultivated plant rises with numerous small long leaves, 

 curled or plain ; from which proceeds a stalk from fifteen to twenty inches high, fur- 

 nished with white flowers, which blossom in June and July. The whole plant partakes 

 strongly of the pungent smell and acrid taste which distinguish the Cruciferce. 



4039. Use. It is cultivated in gardens for the young leaves, which are used in salads, 

 and have a peculiarly warm and grateful relish. It ranks among gardeners as the prin- 

 cipal of the small salads. 



4040. Varieties. These are — 



The common plain-leafed ; principally I Curled-leaved ; equally good as a salad, I Broad-leaved ; less cultivated for salad- 

 cultivated and preferable as a garnish 1 ing, but grown for tearing tux- 

 keys, &c. 



4041. Propagation. All the varieties are raised from seed, of which one ounce or 

 one eighth of a pint will suffice for a bed four feet by four feet. 



4042. Times of sowing and site of the' crop. " Cress should be raised three or four times every month, 

 as it may be in demand, to have crops delicately young in constant succession. For culture in the 

 open garden, begin in the first, second, or third week in March, as a forward spring may bring mild 

 weather or otherwise : allot some warm situation for the early spring sowings ; and if the weather take a 

 cold turn, either put on a spare frame, or cover with matting between sunset and sunrise. When spring 

 is confirmed, sow in any open compartment. At the beginning of summer, the same ; but, in hot dry 

 weather, either sow in a shady border, or if the situation be open, shade with mats in the middle of the 

 day. For autumn sowings, when cold weather is approaching, allot some warm borders, and give occa- 

 sional protection. When crops are in demand throughout winter, either sow in a moderate hot-bed, or in 

 cradles to be placed in a stove ; pans filled with rotten tan are to be preferred to pots or boxes with mould. 

 From the last fortnight of October till the first of March, it will be mostly fruitless to sow in the open 

 garden ; but a terrace, sloping south under a frame, may be used at the decline of the year and most 

 early part of spring, as the intermediate step between the open garden and hot-bed, if more within the 

 means at command. During this interval, some market-gardeners sow it just within the glasses which 

 cover larger plants." The cress is often raised on porous earthen-ware vessels, of a conical form, having 

 small gutters on the sides, for retaining the seeds. These are called pyramids, are somewhat ornamental 

 in winter, and afford repeated gatherings. 



4043. Process in sowing and subsequent culture. " Having allotted a fine mellow soil to receive the seed, 

 dig the surface, and rake it finally preparatory to sowing, which mostly perform in small, flat, shallow 

 drills, four, five, or six inches asunder. Sow the seed very thick, and earth over very lightly, or but just 

 thinly cover. Give occasional waterings in warm dry seasons." 



4044. Taking the crop. " To gather cress in perfection, cut them while moderately young, either clean 

 to the root, or only the tops of advanced plants. They will shoot again for future gathering, but the 

 leaves will be hotter, and not so mild and tender as those of younger plants." 



4045. To save seed. " Either sow a portion in the spring for that purpose ; or leave some rows of any 

 overgrown old crop in April and May. The plants will yield seed in autumn." 



Subsect. 10. American Cress. — Erysimum prcecox, Smith. {Eng. JBot. t. 1129.) 

 Tetradynamia Siliquosa, L. and Cruciferce, J. Cresson d' AmerUjue, Fr. ; and Ameri- 

 kanisher Kresse, Ger. 



4046. The American cress is a native of Britain, and found in watery places; and 

 was formerly considered as a variety of the common winter cress (E. Barbarea) ; but, as 

 observed by Neill, it is only biennial ; while the common winter cress is perennial. 

 It has smaller leaves, more frequently sinuated; the lower are lyre-shaped, and those on 

 the stalk pinnatifid. It is often called black American cress, and sometimes French 

 cress. 



4047. Use. It is generally liked ss a winter cress and early spring salad, resembling 

 in flavor the common winter cress, but rather more bitter. It is in demand in some 

 families throughout the year. 



4048. Culture. It is raised from seed, which is sold by weight, and for every ten feet of drill, a quarter 

 of an ounce will be requisite. " Sow in a bed of light dry earth, rather in drills nine inches apart, than 

 broad-cast. For winter and spring use, make a cowing in the last fortnight of August, or beginning of 

 September, on a warm sheltered border. If wanted throughout summer, sow every six weeks from March 

 to August, giving a sunny or shady situation according to the advancement of the season. Water occa- 



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