WINTER CRESS. 319 



April, at about six inches apart, and watered. They 

 will soon establish themselves, and the only culture 

 they will require afterwards is to keep them gene- 

 rally in a moist state during the summer, as the ab- 

 sence of moisture would be destructive to a number 

 of plants. If kept in the state mentioned, they will 

 continue for a number of years growing and pro- 

 ducing in abundance. 



68. WINTER CRESS. ERYSIMUM. 



Erysimum prcecox, early hedge mustard. The 

 English name denotes its qualities ; in taste it is 

 nearly like the common mustard. The botanic 

 name is derived from its hot and biting nature ; 

 that of prcecoX) the specific, from its early growth 

 in spring. 



The winter cress may be cultivated either as an 

 annual, biennial, or perennial. It is a native of this 

 country, and of other parts of Europe, and sup- 

 posed to be also of America ; but this is doubtful, as 

 the French sent many varieties of seed from Europe 

 while in possession of the northern part of that 

 country, which was wrested from them, in the 

 early part of the author's life, by the immortal 

 Wolfe, on the plains or heights of Abraham, near 

 Quebec. The author well remembers the illumina- 

 tions, rejoicings, and firing of cannon, which con- 

 tinued, almost without interruption, for three days, 

 on account of the victory. 



The winter cress is a useful herb, the young 

 leaves being a principal ingredient in salads, more 

 or less, all the year round. Of late years it has been 



