TO THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



Cress, or I*eppergrass (Lepidium Sativum) 

 German, Kresse. — French, Cresson. — Spanish, Masiruco. 



The leaves, while young, have a warm, pungent taste, and are eaten as a salad, either separately, 

 or mixed with Lettuce or other salad-plants. 



Culture. — Sow rather thick in shallow drills, and at short intervals during the season. The 

 Water-cress requires to be grown on the edge of a running stream or brook where it does not li .^e^e 

 too hard during the winter. 



per oz. 



Curled. A well-known sort. Per pkt., 5 _ ,0 



BcoaJ-leaved. A coarse variety, with broad spatulate leaves; sometimes grown for feeding 



poultry ; also used tor soups. Per pkt., 5 10 



Henderson's Ausfralian. Fine piquant flavor; for salads. Per pkt, 10 . . . ■ ^5 

 Water. This is an aquatic plant, with small oval leaves and prostrate habit. The leaves 



are universally used and eaten as an early spring salad. Per pkt., 10 . , .50 



Com Salad., or FettiCUS (Valeriana Locusta). 



German, Lamtnersalat. — French, Mache. — Spanish, Canonigos. 



per oz. 

 An annual plant, cultivated for its tender leaves, which are esteemed as a winter and early 

 spring salad. The seed is usually sown in shallow drills, early in September. On 

 approach of winter, cover the plants hghtly with straw 15 



Ciicum.'ber (Cucumis Sativus). 

 German, Gurke. — French, Concombre. — Spanish, Colwtnbro. 

 CuLTlTRE, in the open air, is of the simplest character. Merely dig out a hole about a foot wide 

 and deep ; fill it with rich sandy soil ; raise it above the surface about six inches. The hills should 

 be six feet feet apart each way. Any time in May sow a few seeds therein, and the result is certain. 

 It the weather be warm, they will grow in a few days. If the nights are cold, protect them. There 

 is frequently a little bug which preys upon the tender leaves : if so, soot and wood-ashes, sprinkled 

 over them while wet with the dew, will retard the progress of the depredator. As soon as the vines 

 have made three rough leaves, nip the points off to make them branch out : they will fruit sooner 

 by it. Three vines to one hill is quite enough. To have young fruit in February and March is 

 rather a nice operation ; but any one who can command a few loads of warm horse- manure can have 

 them from April to October. That the amateur cultivator may have the article either for family use 

 or for sale, a few hints may be in place on forcing cucumbers. Prepare a frame, following the in- 

 structions laid down in the first part of this work for hotbeds. After the beds are in order, put in a 

 good quantity of good, light, rich loam, — none better than the surface of the woods. In two or 

 three days, the earth will be sufficiently warm for sowing the seeds. If the plants are to be removed 

 into other frames, sow them in pots ; if not to be removed, sow them in a hill made in the centre of 

 the bed by placing a barrowful of soil in it. Cover the sash at night with straw mats, or any similar 

 protection, and surround the beds with litter or boards to protect it from the piercing winds. The 

 seeds vegetate quickly, and soon grow into strong plants. During their growth, admit air every day 

 at the back of the frame, giving as much light as possible to the young plants. If the soil or plants 

 appear dr>', give them water in the forenoon which has been kept in the bed during the night that it 

 may be in a warm state, — the requisite temperature of the bed at night, from 65 to 75° ; day, 75° 

 to 100". 



per oz. 



Early Russian. This is a comparatively new variety, resembling in some respects the Early 



Cluster ; fruit from three to four inches long, an inch and a half in diameter ; 



generally produced in pairs ; flesh tender, crisp, and well flavored ; comes into 



use ten days in advance of the Early Cluster, and makes a fine small pickle. Per 



pkt. 10 25 



Early Cluster. A very popular early Cucumber, producing its fruit in clusters near the root 

 of the plant. Its usual length is about five inches ; skin prickly ; flesh white, seedy, 

 tender, and well flavored ; comes in about ten days later than the Early Russian. 



Per pkt., 5 IS 



Early Frame. One of the oldest of the garden sorts, justly styled a standard variety; fruit 

 straight and well formed ; flesh greenish-white, rather seedy, but tender, and of an 

 agreeable flavor ; a few days later than the Early Cluster. Per pkt., 5 . . • iS 

 Early White Spine. One of the best table sorts, and greatly prized by market-men on ac- 

 count of its color, which never changes to yellow. The fruit is of full medium size, 

 straight, and well-formed ; skin deep green ; prickles white ; flesh white, tender, 

 crispy, and of remarkably fine flavor ; very productive, and good for forcing ; some- 

 times known under the name of New- York Market. Per pkt., 5 . . . -15 

 Long Green Prickly. This is a large-sized variety, and somewhat later than the White 

 Spine ; skin dark green, changing to yellow as the fruit approaches to maturity ; 

 flesh white, somewhat seedy, but crisp, tender, and v/ell-flavored ; hardy and pro- 

 ductive ; makes a good pickle if plucked while young ; well deserving of cultiva- 

 tion. Per pkt., 5 . . . 20 



Extra Long Green Turkey. A distinct and well-defined variety ; when full grown, some- 

 times measuring nearly eighteen inches in length ; form long and slender, with but 

 few seeds ; flesh remarkably firm and crispy ; very productive and excellent. Per 

 pkt., 10 33 



