288 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



for preserves and sweet pickles. The rind of the watermelon is fre- 

 quently substituted for citron. The cultivation of the citron is the 

 same as for the watermelon. (F. B. 255; U. Idaho E. S. 10.) 



COLLARDS. 



The culture and uses of collards are the same as for cabbage and 

 kale. Collards withstand the heat better than either cabbage or kale, 

 and a type known as Georgia collards is highly esteemed in the 

 Southern States. Collards do not form a true head, but instead a 

 loose rosette of leaves, which, when blanched, are very tender and 

 of delicate flavor. (F. B. 255 ; U. Idaho E. S. 10 ; P. Rico A. E. S. 7.) 



CORN SALAD. 



Corn salad is also known as lamb's-lettuce and fetticus. Sow the 

 seed during the early spring in drills 14 to 18 inches apart and culti- 

 vate the same as for lettuce or mustard. For an extra early crop the 

 seed may be planted during the autumn and the plants covered 

 lightly during the winter. In the Southern States the covering will 

 not be necessary and the plants will be ready for use during February 

 and March. The leaves are frequently used in their natural green 

 state, but they may be blanched by covering the rows with anything 

 that will exclude the light. Corn salad is used as a salad in place of 

 lettuce, or mixed with lettuce or water cress. The flavor of corn salad 

 is very mild, and it is improved by mixing with some other salad 

 plant for use. It is also boiled with mustard for greens. (F. B. 255.) 



CRESS. 



Under the name of cress there are two forms, the water cress and 

 the upland cress. The upland cress, sometimes called peppergrass, 

 is easily grown from seed sown in drills a foot #part. As the plants 

 last but a short time, it will be necessary to make a sowing e^ery few 

 days if a continuous supply is desired. 



Water cress can be grown all the year in small open ditches con- 

 taining running spring water. It is best and most easily produced 

 in water from rather warm springs in limestone regions. A sufficient 

 supply for family use can be grown in a small spring-fed brook, and 

 the* plants may be started either from small pieces of plants or from 

 seed. Cress is used in salads, to which it imparts a pleasant pungency. 

 (F. B. 255; U. Idaho E. S. 10; P. Rico A. E. S. 7.) 



CUCUMBERS. 



Soil. The soil best adapted to the cultivation of cucumbers in 

 the open is a light sandy loam, one which responds quickly to tem- 

 perature and fertilizer. Such soils are prepared early in the season 

 and thrown into gentle undulations, so as to produce slight ridges 

 upon which to plant the seed to insure good surface drainage. 



Fertilizers. The soil for cucumbers should be made very rich by 

 the annual application of heavy dressings of stable manure to be 

 incorporated with the soil. During the time it is not occupied by 

 cucumbers or lettuce, cowpeas are frequently grown upon the area 

 and turned under prior to planting a fall crop of lettuce. In addi- 

 tion to this, liberal applications of a fertilizer carrying a considerable 

 percentage of nitrogen are employed. 



Planting. There are almost as many methods of planting 



