THE INDIAN CRESS, BORAGE, MARIGOLD, AND HORSE-RADISH. 675 



leaves ; and if they are cut off close to the collar of the plant it will 

 sprout out again, and afford a second supply. A few plants will pro- 

 duce abundance of seed, which will keep good two years. 



The Indian Cress, Borage, and Mangold. 



These plants are annuals, and only a very few of each are required 

 for any garden. 



The Indian cress, or Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus, L.) is a trailing 

 or climbing annual, a native of Peru, but growing vigorously in the 

 open air in the climate of Britain. The flowers make a beautiful 

 garnish alone, or along with those of the borage, the marigold, oxalis, 

 dahlia, &c. ; and both the flowers and the young leaves and tender 

 shoots are eaten in salads, having a warm taste like the common cress, 

 whence the name Indian cress. The fruit is gathered green, and 

 pickled like capers, for which they form so excellent a substitute that 

 they are preferred to the true caper by many persons. The two sorts 

 best worth cultivating are the common large, with an orange flower, 

 and the blood-red flowered. The seed may either be sown on heat in 

 March, and transplanted in May, or sown in May where it is finally to 

 remain ; and in order to keep the flowers and fruit quite clean, it is 

 advisable to stake the plants in the manner of peas. The leaves, 

 points of the shoots, and flowers, should be gathered only a few hours 

 before using ; and the fruit for pickling, while green, plump, and 

 tender. One or two plants will ripen abundance of seed, which will 

 keep two years. 



The Borage (Borago officinalis, L.) is a boraginaceous annual, indi- 

 genous or naturalized in Britain, and generally cultivated among other 

 plants used in garnishing for its beautiful blue flowers. The tender 

 leaves and points of the shoots are used in salads and as pot-herbs, 

 more especially on the Continent. The flowers and upper leaves are 

 sometimes put in a cool tankard, which is a beverage composed of 

 wine, water, lemon-juice, and sugar. The seed keeps four years. 



The Marigold, or pot-marigold (Calendula ofBcinalis, L.), is an 

 annual, the double-flowered varieties of which have been long culti- 

 vated in gardens as ornamental plants, for their flowers as garnishes, 

 and for their petals, which are occasionally used in broths and soups. 

 A few plants are enough for any garden, and they may be raised from 

 seed sown in February or March. The petals may be gathered, dried 

 in the sun, and put up in paper for winter use. 



The Horse-radish. 



The Horse-radish (Cochlearia Armoracia, L.) is a cruciferous 

 perennial, a native of England in marshy places, long cultivated for 

 its roots or underground stems. These are scraped into shreds, as a 

 garnish and a condiment to roast-beef, and also as an ingredient in 

 winter salads and sauces ; and by some persons it is eaten raw with 

 bread-and-butter. It is propagated by cuttings, which may be either of 



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