INDIAN CRESS. 177 



but even docks, if they were useful, would require 

 some care to have them good. The proper sets are 

 either whole roots or the upper half; and the main 

 thing to know is the depth at which they should be 

 placed. One inexperienced in the ways of bad weeds 

 might be surprised to find from how great a depth 

 a buried dock will set up its face: so is it with this 

 stimulant and stomachic root. The sets should be 

 put in deep rich earth, and, if not too clayey, the 

 tops of the sets should be at least a foot below the 

 surface. From these, numbers of upright roots will 

 arise, and all, of course, a foot long before coming 

 to leaf above ground. Of these the strongest may 

 be at any time selected for use, and cut down to a 

 good length without injury to the parent root. A 

 single row in any out-of-the-way place, may be 

 sufficient; and which will continue in good bearing 

 for five or six years. A new plantation, however, 

 must be made one year before removing the old. 



Indian cress. This plant, so well known to 

 children as a principle ornament in their little gar- 

 dens, is a native of South America. There it in- 

 dures several seasons; but as it cannot stand our 

 winters, it appears in this country only as an annual. 

 It is remarkable for the long period in which its fine 

 orange flowers 1 are produced, and for the great 

 height to which they are reared. Favoured with 

 shelter and support, it will grow seven feet high, 

 and blossom from midsummer till it is killed bv the 



t 



winter frost. The leaves hang curiously by the 



i There is now also a beautiful dark variety. 



M 



