680 ADORNACEOUS ESCULENTS. 



from two inches to five inches in height, and well furnished with 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 produce abundance 

 of seed, which will keep good two years. 



SUBSECT. III. The Indian Cress, Borage, and Marigold. 

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

 any garden. 



1544. The Indian cress, or nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus L. (Capucine, 

 JFV.), is a tropaeolaceous 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 mari- 

 gold, 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 stick 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. 



1545. The borage, Borago officinalis L,. (Bourrache JFV.), is a boragina- 

 ceous annual, indigenous or naturalised 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 some- 

 times put in a cool tankard, which is a beverage composed of wine, water, 

 lemon juice, and sugar. The seed keeps four years. 



1546. The marigold, or pot-marigold, Calendula officinalis L. (Souci des 

 Jardins, Fr.\ is a helianthemideous annual, the double-flow T ered varieties of 

 which have been long cultivated 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. 



SUBSECT. IV. The Horse-radish. 



1547. The horse-radish, Cochlearia Armoracea L. (Cranson, or Le Grand 

 Raifort, -Fr.), 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 of the root, either 

 of the crown, with one or two inches of the root attached, or of the root, 

 without any visible buds, about the same length, and planted with the 

 upper end uppermost, as in sea-kale (1488). These cuttings may either 

 be dropped into holes, made by a dibber, fifteen or eighteen inches in 



