176 GARDENING FOR PROFIT. 



NASTURTIUM.— Indian Cress.— {Tropmolum majus.) 



A plant at once highly ornamental and useful. The 

 shoots and flower-buds are sometimes used as a salad, but 

 it is mainly grown for its seeds, which are pickled in vin- 

 egar, and used as a substitute for capers. It can be grown 

 in almost any soil or situation, entwining itself around 

 strings, brush, or trellis work, that may be given for its sup- 

 port. It may be sown thinly in drills, an inch or so deep, 

 in April or May. There are many beautiful varieties, but 

 the following are only those in use in our vegetable gar- 

 dens. 



Tall Nasturtium. — Attains a bight of 8 or 9 feet, the 

 flowers are yellow, blotched with crimson. This variety 

 makes an excellent screen or covering for unsightly places 

 in the garden. 



Dwarf Nasturtium. — This, in growth, is quite distinct 

 from the preceding, never attaining more than 3 feet ; it 

 should be sown thinly in drills, 3 feet wide, and staked up 

 with brush like Peas. Its flowers are very handsome, 

 bright yellow, blotched with scarlet. 



OKRA OR GUMBO. — (Abelmoschus esculentus.) 



This vegetable is extensively grown in the Southern 

 States ; its long pods, when young, are used in soups, 

 stews, etc., and are believed to be very nutritious. It is 

 of the easiest culture, and grows freely, bearing abun- 

 dantly on any ordinary garden soil. It is sown at the 

 usual time of all tender vegetables — in this district in 



