318 THE KITCHEN-GAftDEN. [APRIL. 



Jerusalem. Artichoke. 



Jerusalem Artichokes may still be cultivated ; as directed last 

 month, in page 205. 



Potatoes. 



If omitted in the last month, plant potatoes in the beginning 

 of this, as directed in page 200. 



Nasturtium. 



The Trojiceolum majiis, or large Nasturtium, is very deserving of 

 cultivation, as well on account of the beauty of its large and nume- 

 rous orange-coloured flowers, as their excellence in sallads, and 

 their use in garnishing dishes. The green berries, or seeds, of 

 this plant, which it produces abundantly, make one of the nicest 

 pickles that can possibly be conceived ; in the estimation of many, 

 they are superior to capers. 



There are, of the nasturtium, a major and minor kind ; the for- 

 mer, being of a large running growth, and the most productive, is 

 the proper sort for the above purposes. 



A drill may be drawn for them, as practised for peas, and the 

 seeds dropped therein, at the distance of two or three inches from 

 one another, and covered with earth near an inch deep. When the 

 plants are grown about six inches, they should have sticks placed 

 to them to run upon. Or they may be sown near hedges, fences, 

 or pailings of any kind, on which they can climb, and have support; 

 for they will always be more productive in this way, than when 

 suffered to trail on the ground. 



Liquorice. 



The early part of this month, is a very good season, in the 

 middle states, for planting liquorice. For its general culture, see 

 page 201, &c. 



Sowing Okra. 



The Hibiscus esculenta^ or Okra. The green capsules of this 

 plant, is an admirable ingredient in scups, and its ripe seeds, if 

 burned and ground like coffee, can scarcely be distinguished there- 

 from. Numbers cultivate it for that purpose, and even say, that it 

 is much superior to foreign coffee, particularly, as it does not affect 

 the nervous system, like the latter. 



Between the middle or latter end of this month, is a proper lime 

 to sow the seed, in the middle states ; and in the eastern states, the 

 early part of May ; or generally, it may be sown, with certainty 

 of success, at the time that Indian corn is planted. Draw drills 

 about an inch deep, and four feet asunder, into which, drop the 

 seeds at the distance of eight inches from one another, or rather, 

 drop f.vo or three in each place, lest the one should not grow, and 

 cover them near an mcb in depth* As they advance in growth, earth 



