388 SALAD PLANTS. 



Gathering and Use. " The shoots are cut for market, 

 not broken off, as is the usual mode of gathering Cress in 

 its natural state, and which is found to be very injurious 

 to the plants in the beds. After they have been cut about 

 three times, they begin to stock ; and then, the oftener they 

 are cut the better. In summer, it is necessary to keep them 

 very closely cut ; and in water of a proper depth, and with a 

 good soil, each bed supplies a gathering once a week." 



It is extensively employed as an early spring salad, and, on 

 account of its warm and pleasant taste, is by many persons 

 preferred to all other salad plants. 



WINTER-CRESS. 



American Winter-cress. Belle-Isle Cress. Scurvy-grass, of some 

 localities. Barbarea prsecox. 



Stems from twelve to fifteen inches high ; leaves lyrate, 

 the terminal lobe round ; flowers small, in erect, loose, ter- 

 minal spikes, or groups ; the seeds are small, wrinkled, of a 

 grayish color, and retain their vitality three years. Intro- 

 duced from Europe, and naturalized in the Northern States. 



Common This species somewhat resembles the fore- 



Winter- 

 Cress,orYel- going, and, like it, grows naturally in moist, 



BABBARKA VUL- shady situations. It is distinguished by its 

 longer, more erect, and more slender pods. 



Soil and Cultivation. Both of the species are hardy, 

 perennial plants, and are raised from seeds, which should be 

 sown in April or May, in shallow drills a foot apart. For a 

 succession, a few seeds may be sown at intervals of three or 

 four weeks till August. For winter use, sow, and, subse- 

 quently cultivate, as Winter Spinach. 



Use. As soon as the plants have made sufficient growth, 



