CRESSES. 189 



sifted, and a 2d sifting yields the pure flour. The si/tings yield a 

 fixed oil, by pressure, which is mixed with rape and other oils ; the 

 whole seed is never pressed. Mustard cake is used as manure, being 

 too hot for cattle. 



CRESS, Lepidiurn sativum. C. 15. 0. 1. A. common garden cress, a 

 species of the genus Lepidium, or pepper-wort. Its native place is 

 unknown. There are 3 varieties cultivated, the curled leaf, plain- 

 leaj'ed, and golden cress. The first is used as a small salading herb, 

 like mustard, and as a beautiful garnish. The 2d is the most common, 

 because the seed of the first is not obtained genuine ; it has the same 

 flavor, but is not so handsome. The 3d resembles the 1st, but is 

 more slender and dwarf. With mustard they form the principal in- 

 gredients in winter and spring salads, and with some all the year. It 

 is grown as rapidly as possible, and cut when young and crisp. The 

 seeds are sown as wanted for use ; once in 8 or 10 days is not too 

 often for delicate cress. Sowings are made in open ground, the 1st of 

 April, in shallow drills 4 or 5 feet apart, or thickly broad-cast and 

 earthed over slightly. The plants are occasionally watered. Late 

 crops may be sown in hot-beds. Twice as much seed as that of mus- 

 tard is required, though not sown so frequently ; an oz. for a bed of 

 4 feet square is requisite. The curled and broad-leafed are most culti- 

 vated here. The soil should be mellow. For seed, sow in spring, or 

 leave some rows of old crop. 



WATER-CRESS, Nasturtium officinale, C. 15. Cruciferae, sp. 10- 

 24. P. 1 ft. It has warm cordial qualities, which have been thought 

 to infuse life into dull and stupid persons, and to brighten the under- 

 standing. An ancient proverb says, eat cress and learn more wit." 

 It has been so named from its acrimony, signifying a convulsed nose. 

 It is notorious for its antiscorbutic properties, and may be eaten at all 

 times of the year. Cresses are much esteemed in the London market, 

 and are in very considerable use here as a salad-pot-herb. They 

 grow in rivulets and springs here and throughout Europe. As a salad 

 herb the young leaves are very popular, being supposed to purify the 

 blood. The creeping water-parsnip, which is pernicious, is often ga- 

 thered, through ignorance, instead of this purifying plant. They are 

 grown on running streams with sandy or chalky bottoms, or fresh 

 pools. By throwing the seeds upon them they soon propagate abun- 

 dantly. Garden cress, or pepper-grass, may be raised 4 or 5 times a 

 month. 



In Germany great pains are taken to propagate this plant, and arti- 

 ficial water beds are formed, called cress plantations, and the water 

 let on or drawn off as required. Near Paris, also, it is cultivated 

 with care near wells, and water is poured upon it daily. In England 

 it is grown in beds near small streams, and sunk a foot under water. 

 A stream of water through an inch pipe will irrigate l-8th of an 



