66 KITCHEN-GARDENING. 



two or three years until all was consumed, wliich was late in 

 spring. 



CORN SALAD, OR FETTICUS. 

 Mache ou doucette. Valeriana locusta. 



VARIETY. — Olitoria. 



This plant grows spontaneously in the cornfields of England ; 

 hence it is called Corn Salad ; and from its being sufficiently 

 hardy to stand the winter, and affording an early pasturage, it 

 has acquired the appellation of Lamb's Lettuce. It is cultivat- 

 ed as a salad for winter and early spring use. The seed may 

 be sown in rich, clean ground the latter end of August or 

 early in September. 



Some gardeners sow the seed in beds four or five feet wide, 

 with paths between each bed, just sufficient to admit of room 

 for hand-weeding ; but it will vegetate more freely if sown in 

 drills half an inch deep, provided it be carefully covered. The 

 drills may be about six inches apart, or just sufficient to admit 

 a small hoe to work between the rows ; for if the plants are 

 not cleared of all weeds while young, they will be more plague 

 than profit. 



Fetticus must be covered up with straw at the approach of 

 severe weather, to preserve it in good condition for use in the 

 early part of the ensuing spring, as that is the season which 

 most amply remunerates the cultivator. The seed of Fetticus 

 is small and light ; but it will admit of being st>wn thick, say 

 at the rate of from four to six pounds to an acre of land. 



CRESS. 



Cresson. Lepidiuw, sativum. 

 Cress is a small salad-herb, and is generally used with Lettuce, 



