370 SALAD PLANTS. 



tender, and, while young, are used for pickling and for salad, 

 being much superior for these purposes to those of the Com- 

 mon Radish. 



When cultivated for its pods, the seeds should be sown in 

 drills two feet apart, and the plants thinned to nine inches 

 in the drills. 



MALLOW, CURLED-LEAVED. 



Malva crispa. 



An annual plant, introduced from Europe, and occasion- 

 ally found growing spontaneously in the vicinity of gardens 

 where it has been once cultivated. The stem is frequently 

 more than six feet in height ; the leaves are nearly five 

 inches in diameter, smooth, and of a rich green color, lobed, 

 and beautifully frilled or curled on the borders ; flowers 

 axillary, white, and small ; the seeds are somewhat kidney- 

 shaped, of a yellowish-brown color, and retain their powers 

 of germination five years. 



Cultivation. The seeds are sown the last of April or 

 beginning of May, and covered about an inch deep. The 

 plants require much space, and should be grown at least 

 eighteen inches asunder. The best method is to drop a few 

 seeds where the plants are to grow, or to rake in a few seeds 

 sown broadcast, and transplant. 



Use. No part of the plant is considered suitable for 

 food, but the elegantly curled leaves are employed for gar- 

 nishing desserts. 



MUSTARD. 



Blade Mustard. Brown Mustard. Red Mustard. Sinapis nigra. 



Black Mustard is a hardy, annual plant, introduced from 



Europe. In some localities, it grows naturally in great 



