45 



the plant begins to deteriorate. Thus, instead of keeping 1 the 

 same plantation for long, it is best to sow only a small quan- 

 tity at a time and to keep up a succession of sowings, at short 

 intervals. Besides old plants are more pungent and acrid. The first 

 cutting is taken about ^5 30 days after sowing. 



VII: This small annual herb with a somewhat mild-flavoured, 

 mustard-like taste, is grown chiefly for its leaves which are used as 

 an article of food, (eaten raw as a relish) and for garnishing dishes. 

 When the plant is young it is mild-flavoured and when old, parti- 

 cularly when grown with but little water, pungent and acrid. 



The seed is oily, the oil being very similar to that of mustard. Both 

 leaves and seed are considered as tonic, antiscorbutic, aphrodisiac, 

 depurative and gentle stimulants. 



VIII : A light soil, plenty of manure and liberal watering. Keep 

 Ihe plant regularly watered otherwise it will run to flower. It 

 is important to cut cress when it is just ready, tender, green, short 

 and plump. 



Lathyrus sativus ; Guilban ; Jarosse or Gesse ; 

 Leguminosae ; Papilionaceae. 



II : By seed which is either sown broadcast or in rows 1 foot 

 apart. Aboul 4 5 kelas of seed are required per fedn. 



HI : From end of October to end of November, generally earlier 

 in Upper than in Lr. Egt. 



V : The fodder is ready for use GO 75 days after sowing ; the 

 seed ripens about 5 months after sowing. The plant gives but one 

 cutting. 



VII : This annual herb is chiefly cultivated in the southern- 

 most provinces of Up. Egt. where Bersim refuses to grow, It is 

 grown as a fodder plant for its leaves and stems, the seed being 

 not used. The seeds have been proved to be highly injurious if taken 

 in more than limited quantities, causing a kind of paralysis of the 

 Miusclos. The pea. is however highly nutritious containing about 

 v >0 /o of albuminoids. 



VIII : The plant is very hardy endures the severest droughts 

 and iv<,Mirr< no <-?nv in cultivation. In the basins it is simply scatte- 



