62 buist's family kiicien gardener. 



Sugar Corn, wlien in a dry state, are small and shriveled, and 

 are consequently easily distinguished. 



Culture. — The ground must be in good condition; if not 

 make it so, or put a shovelful of decayed manure or rich 

 compost into each hill. Plant in hills, three feet apart, five 

 or six grains in each ; when up, allow three only to stand for 

 a crop ; hoe deep and frequently, drawing some earth to the 

 stalks when about a foot high. If they incline to sucker, or 

 make side shoots, break them off. Plant every two weeks till 

 August. This crop can be used to fill up all vacancies in the 

 ground, and to follow other crops as they come off in June 

 and July. 



INDIAN CRESS, OR NASTURTIUM. 



Tropaiohirii mdjus. — Capucine, Fr. — Kapuzinerblume^ Grer. 



The botanic name is derived from a Latin word signifying 

 a warlike trophy. This idea might have originated with bot- 

 anists from its shield-like leaves and its brilliant, golden, hel- 

 met-shaped flowers, pierced and stained with blood. It is a 

 native of Peru and Chili, where there are many curious and 

 fanciful varieties, though none so beautiful as the Common 

 Nasturtium that has been cultivated for nearly three hundred 

 years. Its gay colors enliven the gardens of the rich and the 

 poor. The flowers and leaves have a sharp and warm taste, like 

 Garden or Curled Cress ; and are frequently used in salads. 

 The seeds, when gathered young and green, on a dry day, and 

 pickled in vinegar, form an excellent substitute for Capers, 

 and indeed are preferable. 



Culture. — It is properly treated as an annual plant, and 

 sown for the benefit of its seed, flowers and foliage, as well 

 as for ornament. Sow the seed thinly, in rows or patches, an 

 inch deep, about the end of Ma^'ch or first of April. It is not 



