488 THE KITCHEN GARDEN. [AUG. 



CORN- SAL AD. 



The Valeriana locusta, variety olitoria, grows commonly in the 

 cornfields in many parts of Europe ; hence, it is called corn- salad ; 

 and from its being sufficiently hardy to stand the winter, and of early 

 growth in spring, has acquired the appellation of lamb's lettuce, from 

 its affording them an early pasturage. 



This is an annual plant, and is cultivated as an esculent herb in 

 salads for winter and early spring use. It should be sown in the 

 middle States in the last week of this month, or first in September, 

 on a dry soil and open situation, and raked in; the plants will come 

 up soon after, and should be thinned to two or three inches asunder; 

 they are used during the winter and early spring months in compo- 

 sition with lettuce and other salad herbs, and as a substitute for these 

 where deficient. 



WINTER CRESSES. 



The Erysimum barbarea, or winter cress, is used for the same 

 purpose, sown at the same time, and treated in like manner as 

 directed above for corn-salad. This plant is, by the market-garden- 

 ers about Philadelphia, called scurvy-grass, to which it is by no means 

 allied; the latter being the Cochlearia officinalis of Linn., a good 

 antiscorbutic, which has rather a disagreeable smell, and a warm, 

 bitter taste, by no means palatable as a salad. The winter cresses, 

 if sown in the last week of this month, or first in September, on a 

 dry soil and warm exposure, will afford an early salad in spring, 

 very pleasing to some palates, and perfectly resembling in taste and 

 flavor, and somewhat in appearance, the Sisymbrium nasturtium, or 

 water- cress. 



LIMA AND CAROLINA BEANS. 



Hoe and clean between the hills or rows of Lima and Carolina 

 beans, and cut off any runners that are found to trail on the surface 

 of the ground, which only tend to rob the bearing vines. 



SOUTHERN STATES. 



In the southern States, particularly the Carolinas and Georgia, 

 this month being the commencement of their rainy season, it is com- 

 mon to sow cauliflowers, cabbage, carrot, parsnep, onion, leek, and 

 endive ; and in short, the general variety of seeds that are sown in 

 the middle States in the months of March and April. These kinds 

 arrive there at a tolerable degree of perfection before their winter 

 sets in, which is so very mild as scarcely to injure any of their escu- 

 lent crops; and such of them as do not come to maturity before 

 winter attain it early in spring. 



